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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#315 "DUTCH NEW GUINEA CEREMONIAL SWEEP/PADDLE" MASTER PATTERN CARVING171 - #315 "DUTCH NEW GUINEA CEREMONIAL SWEEP/PADDLE" MASTER PATTERN CARVING
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) Carved on both sides. this is the original master pattern carving with bottom spindle chock. A gorgeous carving.48.5"x7"VG+ with t...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold for (425.00 + 97.75BP) = 522.75
 
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#302 "EASTER ISLAND CEREMONIAL PADDLE" MASTER PATTERN CARVING172 - #302 "EASTER ISLAND CEREMONIAL PADDLE" MASTER PATTERN CARVING
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) A long ceremonial paddle carved in hardwood. A staple of the OA catalog. Spindle chocks present.49.5"x 8"VG+ with typical wear
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 500.00 - 700.00
Sold for (1,100.00 + 220.00BP) = 1,320.00
 
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#310 "TAHITIAN CEREMONIAL PADDLE" MASTER PATTERN CARVING173 - #310 "TAHITIAN CEREMONIAL PADDLE" MASTER PATTERN CARVING
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) This is an incredible piece! The intricacy of the carving in this master is simply beautiful. Carved on both sides in nicely grained hardwood,
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 600.00 - 900.00
Sold for (1,600.00 + 320.00BP) = 1,920.00
 
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PAIR (2) #307 "FIJIAN WAR CLUB" / #208 "FIJIAN WAR CLUB" MASTER PATTERN CARVINGS174 - PAIR (2) #307 "FIJIAN WAR CLUB" / #208 "FIJIAN WAR CLUB" MASTER PATTERN CARVINGS
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) A pair of OA war club carvings used for master patterns. The first, #307 does not have the cross-hatch design in the head of the club carved o
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 400.00 - 500.00
Sold for (650.00 + 149.50BP) = 799.50
 
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#309 "MARQUESAN WAR CLUB" MASTER PATTERN CARVING175 - #309 "MARQUESAN WAR CLUB" MASTER PATTERN CARVING
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) Highly detailed two-sided original master pattern carving in hardwood. Spindle chock on the head.48.5x5"VG+ with typical wear
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 1,000.00 - 1,500.00
Sold for (1,150.00 + 264.50BP) = 1,414.50
 
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#301 "COOK ISLAND CEREMONIAL PADDLE" MASTER PATTERN CARVING176 - #301 "COOK ISLAND CEREMONIAL PADDLE" MASTER PATTERN CARVING
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) Two sides original master carving with spindle chocks. Very detailed design.44"x8"VG+ with typical wear
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 600.00 - 800.00
Sold for (1,000.00 + 230.00BP) = 1,230.00
 
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#303 "MARQUESAN WAR CLUB" MASTER PATTERN CARVING177 - #303 "MARQUESAN WAR CLUB" MASTER PATTERN CARVING
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) Another popular OA master pattern carving. These were all based on specimens Bob and LeRoy either encountered in the field or in their book re
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 500.00 - 800.00
Sold for (950.00 + 218.50BP) = 1,168.50
 
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THE FAMOUS #300 "MAORI WAR CLUB" MASTER PATTERN CARVING178 - THE FAMOUS #300 "MAORI WAR CLUB" MASTER PATTERN CARVING
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) This is an incredible piece! The intricacy of the carving in this master is simply beautiful. Carved on both sides in nicely grained hardwood,
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 1,000.00 - 2,000.00
Sold for (2,250.00 + 517.50BP) = 2,767.50
 
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VERY RARE ARMET & DAVIS/GEORGE NAKASHIMA KONA KAI PHILADELPHIA MARQUESAN WAR CLUB MASTER PATTERN CAR179 - VERY RARE ARMET & DAVIS/GEORGE NAKASHIMA KONA KAI PHILADELPHIA MARQUESAN WAR CLUB MASTER PATTERN CAR
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960) Here is a rarity. This original master carving was created by Cass Carving of Los Angeles based on designs by George Nakashima for Googie archi
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 1,000.00 - 2,000.00
Sold for (1,150.00 + 264.50BP) = 1,414.50
 
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"U'U" CEREMONIAL MARQUESAN WAR CLUB MASTER PATTERN CARVING180 - "U'U" CEREMONIAL MARQUESAN WAR CLUB MASTER PATTERN CARVING
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) A highly detailed war club of the Marquesas. Carved on both sides and most impressive in person. Many early Tiki Era restaurants used this pat
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 600.00 - 900.00
Sold for (1,550.00 + 356.50BP) = 1,906.50
 
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