THE OCEANIC ARTS: VINTAGE TIKI COLLECTION AUCTION

Auction Details

Since 1956, one company has been at the epicenter of the mid-century, pop-culture, stylistic phenomenon known as TIKI. If POLYNESIAN GODS, EXOTICA MUSIC, HAWAIIAN HULA GIRLS and TROPICAL COCKTAILS are the lifeblood of the American Tiki movement, OCEANIC ARTS has been its beating heart. With a dream and a handshake, Robert Van Oosting and LeRoy Schmaltz embarked on an extraordinary journey that even they had no idea would go on to influence style around the world and yes, even the finest in American kitsch. From TRADER VICS and DON THE BEACHCOMBER to SEA WORLD and DISNEYLAND, Oceanic Arts has been supplying a tropical backdrop for fantasy and fun. Their hand-made décor has graced the finest restaurants and hotels of the world, as well as the dingiest dives; Glorious theme parks from California to Florida to the cheesiest roadside miniature golf courses. Countless backyard luaus and home tiki bars have been enriched with their wonderful art. No job was too big or too small for this Whittier, California manufacturer. Modestly, they’ve done it all.

Upon the occasion of Bob and LeRoy’s retirement and for the first time in their 65-year history, artifacts which make up the very soul of OCEANIC ARTS are available for purchase.

This includes Warehouse Showroom Samples, Master Pattern Carvings, Rental Department Inventory and rare ephemera from their vast Archives Library. For decades, collectors and general Tiki enthusiasts have been met with the dreaded NOT FOR SALE tags all over the OA Warehouse. Today, those tags have been set aside.

Now, PEEKABOO GALLERY is proud to offer the greatest collection of Mid-Century Commercial Polynesian-Pop artifacts ever to come on the market: THE OCEANIC ARTS VINTAGE TIKI COLLECTION!

Here is a rare opportunity to own a piece of history, direct from the original source. POLYNESIAN LAMPS, PAINTINGS, CONCEPT ART, VINTAGE PHOTOGRAPHS, EPHEMERA, DISNEY THEME PARK RARITIES, TIKI MUGS, HAWAIIAN CLOTHING and rare, one-of-a-kind TIKI CARVINGS are all on offer. This is undoubtedly, the largest intact vintage Tiki collection to ever come to the market and frankly, most probably ever will.

Join us as we bid farewell to Bob and LeRoy and wish them, ALOHA, OA!
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.
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SMALL OA "BASKET LAMP"377 - SMALL OA "BASKET LAMP"
Peekaboo Gallery
(1950s) This is one of the early rattan basket lamps purchased by Bob and LeRoy in Los Angeles' Chinatown. The lamp is not electrified.16"x...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold for (500.00 + 100.00BP) = 600.00
 
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#2404 "SOUTH SEA ISLAND FISH TRAP"378 - #2404 "SOUTH SEA ISLAND FISH TRAP"
Peekaboo Gallery
(1970s) An imported fish trap featuring the glossy side of bamboo slats. This were carried by OA for use alone or with added lighting elements.15.5x30
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold for (550.00 + 126.50BP) = 676.50
 
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OA HANGING CORK AND BOTTLE STRING DECOR379 - OA HANGING CORK AND BOTTLE STRING DECOR
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) This style was used often by OA and samples such as this were strung throughout the showroom to offer ideas to interior designers. Here, older
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold for (450.00 + 103.50BP) = 553.50
 
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GREEN GLASS JAPANESE FISHING FLOAT IN NETTING380 - GREEN GLASS JAPANESE FISHING FLOAT IN NETTING
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) This was a restaurant salvaged piece. Features beautiful frosted green glass in netting. No internal lighting.12" diameter floatVG+ wit...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold for (675.00 + 155.25BP) = 830.25
 
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RED, ORANGE AND BLUE PLASTIC FISHING FLOAT LAMPS SET OF 3381 - RED, ORANGE AND BLUE PLASTIC FISHING FLOAT LAMPS SET OF 3
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) These display samples were from a brief period when OA considered creating blown plastic floats instead of the traditional glass. Both Bob and
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold for (475.00 + 109.25BP) = 584.25
 
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#404 "NEW GUINEA CANOE PROW ORNAMENT" MASTER PATTERN CARVING382 - #404 "NEW GUINEA CANOE PROW ORNAMENT" MASTER PATTERN CARVING
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) This stunner is featured prominently in the OA book. It's a scaled up version of an authentic museum specimen encountered by Bob and LeR...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 3,000.00 - 4,000.00
Sold for (2,100.00 + 483.00BP) = 2,583.00
 
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#405 "NEW CALEDONIA FINIAL" HOUSE SPIRE383 - #405 "NEW CALEDONIA FINIAL" HOUSE SPIRE
Peekaboo Gallery
(1990s) Fully carved hardwood with excellent polychroming. This impressive carving is two-sided.61"x17"x2"VG+ with typical wear
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,000.00 - 3,000.00
Sold for (1,300.00 + 260.00BP) = 1,560.00
 
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#405 "NEW CALEDONIA FINIAL" HOUSE SPIRE383 - #405 "NEW CALEDONIA FINIAL" HOUSE SPIRE
Peekaboo Gallery
(1990s) Fully carved hardwood with excellent polychroming. This impressive carving is two-sided.61"x17"x2"VG+ with typical wear
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,000.00 - 3,000.00
Sold for (1,300.00) = 1,300.00
 
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#156 DOUBLE STACKED "MARQUESAN TIKI POSTMASTER PATTERN CARVING384 - #156 DOUBLE STACKED "MARQUESAN TIKI POSTMASTER PATTERN CARVING
Peekaboo Gallery
(1950s) A famous OA tiki figure that goes back to the earliest days at The Big Green Barn. Based on a museum figure, this particular carving was made
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 1,500.00
Sold for (1,800.00 + 414.00BP) = 2,214.00
 
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#146 EARLY ED CRISSMAN SIGNATURE OA TIKI385 - #146 EARLY ED CRISSMAN SIGNATURE OA TIKI
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) Here's an Ed Crissman tiki made in his signature style of the 1960s. The #146 catalog tiki were Ed designs with the protruding tongue. V...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 2,000.00
Sold for (1,200.00 + 276.00BP) = 1,476.00
 
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