Looking for a Tiki Head

I've been considering starting to collect Tiki for a couple of months now, since my interest for actually having tiki is quite new (knew about it before and liked it, but never thought of it as decoration). I'll be moving into a small appartment about 18 m² (193.7 sq ft if I'm not mistaken) and that's including the bathroom and kitchen. So, I won't be starting off with a stone Moai or massive wooden totem. And I'll need the walls to put shelves, a wardrobe, etc. so no masks just yet (don't really know what space I'll have left).
I was thinking of a sort of statuette, but although I know it's mainly for decoration, I'd like to know how you're supposed to recognize what they symbolise (god and what is associated) if they do (don't know if there are any books on that subject) but I know some are just made up.
I quite like that one:

But my main question would be to know if anyone could tell me where I can find a sort of head (kinda like a bust for Roman statues), to put on a shelf or desk for example. Not hollow like a mask, nor fair and square (or cylindrical as a mater of fact) like a totem.
That kind (but the guy who posted it bought it from carver Hia Lavaka at Lahina open market in Maui):

Any help and/or advice is more than welcome. This is only my second post, so sorry if it's in the wrong place but as it's something I'm looking for rather than have found, I didn't think this should go in the Collecting section.

[ Edited by: Kamoenani 2007-08-12 10:09 ]

Hey Kamoenani:
That picture you posted is of a tiki from a company called KC. They call it the "God of Money." They make them in a few sizes, up to 11 inches (29cm) high. The stock number for the 11" one is 40114, and they are all over ebay. It wholesales for $7.45US, and usually retails for about $15-20US.
They also make wooden ones in Bali based upon that design(on the right):

I think that one retails for about $15us.

This company makes plastic ones that are about 6ft(2m) tall with eyes that light up:
http://www.bigstuff.biz/gallery/TIKI-BAR

Hope this helps.
Buzzy

When you go into Paris check these two restaurants out. You could ask where they get some of there pieces.

http://www.worldsbestbars.com/public/venue_listing.jsp?categoryId=38¤tVenueId=306

http://tahitienfrance.free.fr/carnetadresse/fare_tahiti.htm

Here is a musee with south pacific art.
http://www.quaibranly.fr/

Signature? I ain't signin nothin!

[ Edited by: Mr. NoNaMe 2007-08-12 12:43 ]

M.NNM: The second bar looks like fun, but the first bar's link returns me an error - is it me, or is the link off?

Great find on Musée du quai Branly!

On 2007-08-12 14:12, Tiki Lion wrote:
but the first bar's link returns me an error - is it me, or is the link off?

Your mouse must not be old enough. I click and it puts me thru, on both of my 'puters, to the age verification page.

Some day I will probably go to France. Ahh, who am I kidding?! The closest I'll get is Punta Gorda, FL. Tomorrow!

If you are looking for something really nice check out the pounamu (jade) carvings carvings made by Paipo, Tamapoutini, or Benzart. All have many examples or their work shown on Tiki Central, and sell in the marketplace or on eBay. These also serve a dual purpose - the can be worn or hung or the wall or another piece of art as a home decoration.

Good luck in your search.

Wow, wasn't expecting to get answers so quickly. Thanks.

On 2007-08-12 11:28, Bay Park Buzzy wrote:
Hey Kamoenani:
That picture you posted is of a tiki from a company called KC. They call it the "God of Money." They make them in a few sizes, up to 11 inches (29cm) high.
They also make wooden ones in Bali based upon that design(on the right):

I think that one retails for about $15us.

This company makes plastic ones that are about 6ft(2m) tall with eyes that light up:
http://www.bigstuff.biz/gallery/TIKI-BAR

Thanks. I'm definitely getting one of those.
And I like the big stuff page. When I grow up (like that's ever gonna happen)...I mean in a few years' time when I have a proper house, I'll have to have a tiki bar!

On 2007-08-12 12:41, Mr. NoNaMe wrote:
When you go into Paris check these two restaurants out. You could ask where they get some of there pieces.

http://www.worldsbestbars.com/public/venue_listing.jsp?categoryId=38¤tVenueId=306

http://tahitienfrance.free.fr/carnetadresse/fare_tahiti.htm

Here is a musee with south pacific art.
http://www.quaibranly.fr/

Can't get through to the first one (asks whether I'm of legal drinking age) and when I click yes (it's 18 here, but I'm 21 anyway) I get an error (I guess the same as Tiki Lion).
But the second one is interesting because the only thing I found in France on Critiki is the museum which presumably must have a bar or something. So, I didn't know about that one. But I know about the museum, it was pretty much all over the news when it opened last year, but I haven't had the chance to go there yet (I don't go down to Paris that often; even less now I have to move west to pursue my studies).

On 2007-08-12 18:52, timidtiki wrote:
If you are looking for something really nice check out the pounamu (jade) carvings carvings made by Paipo, Tamapoutini, or Benzart. All have many examples or their work shown on Tiki Central, and sell in the marketplace or on eBay. These also serve a dual purpose - the can be worn or hung or the wall or another piece of art as a home decoration.

I'll be sure to check that out. I've heard a lot about especially Mâori pounamu carvings. Greenstone looks rather nice.

Anyway thank you all for the advice so far. If anyone accidentally stumbles upon head-like carvings the kind I'm looking for, please let me know.

The picture of the bust of Lono is mine, from my blog.

You can read some amusing comments about the artist and some of his tourist customers on my site.

Meet Lono at Never Sea Land

Tiki Central member Pele Nani bought one or two larger pieces, a Ku I think, from this artist as well.