Ulithi Atoll Figure

I have the opportunity to purchase this carved figure from Ulithi that came from the estate of a WWII serviceman. It's only 5"-6" tall & the asking price is $75.00. I'm not sure if it was carved by a native or a serviceman. Any info or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Mahalo,
Rick

Dumbass! I forgot the pic!

[ Edited by: Big Kahuna 2012-04-22 12:22 ]

Aloha,

Hmmm. Well the quality seems very good and probably native carved. These squatting figures are mostly used as guardians of the dead in canoe burials... However your figure from Ulithi can also be associated with fertility. (Note swollen breasts and Belly.)

Get a copy of Arts and Crafts of Micronesia by Barbara Wavell

Hello. I was stationed at Ulithi, Pontangeras Island, in 1946-47. I have two of the figures and I know for sure that mine were made by the natives there. They have held up well over the years, but the black coloring in one eye had rubbed off a bit. I touched it up with a felt tip marker and it's fine now. I'd say that the figure in your photo was definitely carved by a native. They were really great people and I shall never for get them.

That's a photo I would like to see...Toddy and the two carvings....65 years after getting them in person....and to Mr. Toddy...Thank You For Your Service !!

I wish I could contribute to this historically but years ago I found a bunch of similar tourist carvings like this and have been trying to match the style to the location, thanks for pinpointing them.

OK, obviously, I need to negotiate a deal for this little gal.
Sven, any info?
Toddy, I too would like to thank you for your service.

[ Edited by: Big Kahuna 2012-05-10 19:25 ]

Here she is, in her new home.:

Edited for gender correction!

[ Edited by: Big Kahuna 2012-05-10 19:27 ]

She looks of rich wood and nice color ...and looks like she is sitting in the perfect spot ...and you only had to trade some small wrinkled green pieces of paper for it !!!!

Yeah, Tom, apparently "he"s a she. I thought it appropriate that she reside on my WWII tribute shelf. Looks right at home, doesn't she?

Rick this is the ugliest statue I have ever seen :)

I am glad its in your collection and not mine - lol

I never would of bought it in a million years had I seen it in some antique store or thrift...you should make it the mascot of your bar :wink:

I'm sorry you feel that way, cuz I named her Liz! :D

On 2012-05-12 15:09, Big Kahuna wrote:
I'm sorry you feel that way, cuz I named her Liz! :D

hahaha love you too jerkface!

It is certainly primitive I’d like to see the original version of the tiki. I suppose I have the “Coco Joes” versions of this that are a little more stylized and less “Lizlike”, hee.

Here are a 6 inch pair that are anatomically correct

and a smaller pair

and an even smaller pair

they even were made into letter openers.

And the 18 inch deluxe model.

On 2012-05-12 16:14, naugatiki wrote:
I suppose I have the “Coco Joes” versions of this that are a little more stylized and less “Lizlike”, hee.

that settles it..I will make this image my next tattoo!

***** !!! WARNING !!! ***** To B.K. and S.D. These Guys Will Grow On You...Use Caution !!! They are rumored to run in pairs, the male and female... but a little harder to find that are a matching set. Still harder to find is the Big Dog...The 18 Incher...A wide berth and alot of respect when near this fellow. All hail Naugatiki, he wins this round !

Found a set today
9 inches tall and very heavy
:)

From BigBroTiki (thanks for the info)

http://www.friendsoftobi.org/tobithings/monkeymen/wavellsacredsouvenir2002.pdf

Looks like ironwood Jon

Mike- you are starting to sound like Grog
:)

Superb find Jon, congrats

We are so happy to finally know where this guy came from. Tiki Central is the best place ever for information. Wendy

Found another one in Florida

Score
I more than doubled my population in 1 day
Quick trek to Arizona turned up 4 more
:)

Two 2.5 inch
One 8 inch
One 10 inch

The two larger ones marked "KOROR" on the bottoms

Happy hunting

Found another one
(It was a mess, cleaned up well)

Seriously Jon, I need one of these.

2 more
Thanks to Wendy

Here’s my family of 10

Worst sound ever, slurp of an empty tiki mug through my straw!!!

[ Edited by: hang10tiki 2018-07-28 21:11 ]

Thanks Wendy
Liked this guy ever since you posted his pic in 2016
Cheers

Hi,

Here are a couple of Ulithis from my collection.

ukutiki

Uku- nice pair

3 more lil dudes
Cleaned up well

Found another one
Pulled her off of Oahu
Great wood grain
And my largest one
13 1/2”

This guy joined the family today

9 inch

Pulled of Oahu
5 inches tall
(Little different, but, thought worth posting)

Worst sound ever, slurp of an empty tiki mug through my straw!!!

[ Edited by: hang10tiki 2019-11-06 13:23 ]

Rains it pours

Another 9 inch

Whaaaaaaat
4 more
:)

10 inch
15 inch
9 inch
7 inch

Pulled these 2 out of San Diego

5 inch

8 inch

Found this lil one in Phoenix
4.5 inches

Found two more in Vegas
Owner got them on the Island of Yap in 1999

12 inch

6 inch

Worst sound ever, slurp of an empty tiki mug through my straw!!!

[ Edited by: hang10tiki 2020-02-16 20:53 ]

Pulled off of Oahu

Just noticed I forgot to post these 3

Pulled the stacker from California and 2 others from Oahu (interesting, one is 1/2 male and 1/2 female)!

[ Edited by hang10tiki on 2022-12-28 20:08:56 ]

You must have the best collection of these. I love the simple style and staring eyes.

Hey hang10tiki you missed one!

I found this one a year or two ago in Tacoma.

Missed it by that much

:-)

Made one

Lol

Sweet!

Thanks coldwar

Found another one

[ Edited by hang10tiki on 2023-05-13 20:02:20 ]

3 more