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FAMOUS "BIG SMILEY" OA TIKI CARVING FROM "THE ISLANDER" - FEATURED IN LIFE MAGAZINE.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:6,000.00 USD Estimated At:8,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
FAMOUS  BIG SMILEY  OA TIKI CARVING FROM  THE ISLANDER  - FEATURED IN LIFE MAGAZINE.
SOLD
20,000.00USD+ buyer's premium (4,600.00)
This item SOLD at 2022 Apr 24 @ 15:28UTC-7 : PDT/MST
PLEASE FOLLOW THE SCROLL and BID BUTTON FOR THE MOST ACCURATE BIDDING STATUS. THE LIVE CAMERA/SOUND MAY LAG.

Buyers premium is 23%

PLEASE BE AWARE OF SIZING ON ITEMS. Note the dimensions in the descriptions for items that may be oversized. Shipping is the responsibility of the buyer. All items are to be paid for BEFORE shipping can be arranged. Shipping estimates can be provided by our third-party shipping partners. Note lot numbers of inquiry to give to shipping partners.
(1960s) A show-stopping artifact from the Poly-Pop Tiki Era. This carving was on display at the famous La Cienega Blvd. location of THE ISLANDER in Los Angeles. It was supplied to the venue by Oceanic Arts and created by famed carver, Demetrio Chavez. According to LeRoy, the wood itself is anomaly: It was carved from a highly uncommon oval tree log. This probably occurred when the tree grew between two hard rock surfaces. This accounts for the distinctive shape of the tiki. From Leroy's perspective, unusual shaped logs such as this are especially coveted and saved for only exceptional projects. "Big Smiley" (as Bob has referred to the tiki for many years) was even featured in an issue of LIFE magazine for an article on the Tiki Craze of the period. When The Islander closed, OA purchased back some of the decor and it has greeted visitors to the OA showroom for decades. It's size and quality of carving is exceptional as well as its rich leathery patina. One of the true jewels of the OA collection and a noteworthy piece of Tiki history! Heavy and will require special shipping arrangements.64"x24"x15".VG+ with typical wear.