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Tiki Central / Collecting Tiki

Can anyone identify this carving?

Pages: 1 5 replies

PLT
Pepe le Tiki posted on 09/06/2005

OK, I've been meaning to post this for while and since today's my Savage Renewal day, now seems like a good time!
This carving is one of my favorite Tiki pieces. It was a gift from a very sweet elderly customer when we opened our store. He now sits on our counter guarding our Tiki items (I could of sold it a hundred times to date....but there's no way I'm parting with this special gift!!!). She said she purchased it at a market in Hawaii in the 60's and it sat in her garden ever since. Unfortunately, that's about all the info I can get from her. It's in great condition, only slightly weathered considering it sat through 30-40 years of our rainy Vancouver winters!
It stands 11 inches tall and is carved from heavy wood.
Anyways, I'm wondering if anyone might know anything about it. Is it a rare piece or a dime a dozen souvenir? (or in other words, should it be sitting on my counter exposed or locked in a show case?!) :)
I've tried searching online, I've scoured Tiki Quest and The Book of Tiki for any hints but no luck.
I'm hoping someone on TC can offer some insight!

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Tikiwahine posted on 09/06/2005

It looks just like a coco joe necklace I have, I'll post the image tonight.
-Tw

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tikigreg posted on 09/07/2005

And it looks like a Coco Joe's bottle opener I have, only mine is done in the black lava/resin stuff.

OL
ookoo lady posted on 09/07/2005

Here's that Cocojoes bottle opener. There seems to be a similar style, but it doesn't tell us if your tiki carver copied a Cocojoe, or perhaps Cocojoe modeled their tikis after one such as yours.

PLT
Pepe le Tiki posted on 09/07/2005

Wow, I'd say that's a match! This certainly helps the on going search.
Thanks for your help folks!!!

[ Edited by: Pepe le Tiki 2005-09-07 10:17 ]

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Tikiwahine posted on 09/08/2005

I've got that bottle opener too, and it's a better match than my necklace is.

Here it is anyhow, it has a very translucent bronze sheen to it.

This is one of my favorite finds. I found it at the thrift store behind my house that tends to be fairly sparse in the tiki department. He came with the original gold chain which I have kept.

I normally check the jewelry department for the goofy resin moai that was so popular, haven't found one yet though.

Pages: 1 5 replies