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HISTORIC "FIRST TIKI" MOAI CARVING BY BOB VAN OOSTING.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:350.00 USD Estimated At:500.00 - 700.00 USD
HISTORIC  FIRST TIKI  MOAI CARVING BY BOB VAN OOSTING.
SOLD
3,600.00USD+ (828.00) buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2022 Apr 27 @ 15:26UTC-7 : PDT/MST
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Buyers premium is 23%

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(1957) This seemingly simple palm tiki is a very important artifact in the rich history of Polynesian Pop. This Moai carving is among the first tiki carvings produced by Oceanic Arts (*OA Book-Page 44). Sometime in 1957, a locally felled palm tree was salvaged by Bob and LeRoy from the Rio Hondo Riverbed after a recent flood. It from was this very palm which LeRoy would carve his first "tiki" figure upon the urging of mentor, Robert Carter. LeRoy carved the large base Moai figure measuring over 10 feet in height. Three smaller Moai were carved by Bob Van Oosting out of the thinner, upper portions of the log. One was kept behind Bob's home and the other two have been at Oceanic Arts ever since. These historic tikis were stock in their rental department up to the present day. The lack of significance OA has placed in this piece, by offering it for rental all these years with zero fanfare, clearly illustrates the humble self-unawareness Bob and LeRoy attribute to themselves and their place in Tiki history. A treasure.37"x13"x9.5"VG+ with typical wear.