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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#2359 OA "PUFFERFISH LIGHT" OA LAMP361 - #2359 OA "PUFFERFISH LIGHT" OA LAMP
Peekaboo Gallery
(1970s) No one carried larger pufferfish lamps than OA. This one at almost 2 feet in length. These were manufactured by hand at OA with imported stuff
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold for (3,750.00 + 862.50BP) = 4,612.50
 
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#2310-A "RATTAN BASKET LIGHT" OA LAMP362 - #2310-A "RATTAN BASKET LIGHT" OA LAMP
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) An open weave cane basket with an Abaca matting liner.18"x18".VG+ with typical wear
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold for (1,300.00 + 299.00BP) = 1,599.00
 
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SEA & JUNGLE - "FISH TRAP HANGING LAMP"363 - SEA & JUNGLE - "FISH TRAP HANGING LAMP"
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) A rattan fish trap inverted and topped with a palapa shade.25"x17"VG+ with typical wear
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold for (1,050.00 + 241.50BP) = 1,291.50
 
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#2312 "RATTAN BASKET LIGHT" OA LAMP364 - #2312 "RATTAN BASKET LIGHT" OA LAMP
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) An OA special production lamp made of a decorative open cane designed basket lined with Abaca matting.24"x9"VG+ with typical wear
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold for (1,500.00 + 345.00BP) = 1,845.00
 
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#2388 "TAPA SQUASH SHADE" OA LAMP365 - #2388 "TAPA SQUASH SHADE" OA LAMP
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) An in-house OA design with tapa panels mounted on clear plastic and framed in split bamboo.12"x18"VG+ with typical wear
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold for (1,800.00 + 414.00BP) = 2,214.00
 
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#2359 OA "PUFFERFISH LIGHT" OA LAMP366 - #2359 OA "PUFFERFISH LIGHT" OA LAMP
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) An early survivor pufferfish. Very large and not electrified. Made for a display sample.11"x27"VG+ with typical wear
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold for (700.00 + 161.00BP) = 861.00
 
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OA SIGNATURE GIFT LAMP367 - OA SIGNATURE GIFT LAMP
Peekaboo Gallery
(2000s) This lamp was gifted to Oceanic Arts by a fan and made in the style of OA and Barbara Tobeckson for Sea & Jungle. It features cut bamboo...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold for (1,500.00 + 345.00BP) = 1,845.00
 
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A PAIR (2) OF OLDER JAPANESE BLOWN GLASS FISHING FLOATS IN ROPE NETTING368 - A PAIR (2) OF OLDER JAPANESE BLOWN GLASS FISHING FLOATS IN ROPE NETTING
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) A gorgeous pair of thick glass floats in netting. No internal lighting. Central to any authentic mid-century Polynesian decor.10" glass...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold for (1,200.00 + 276.00BP) = 1,476.00
 
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ORCHIDS of HAWAII - BAMBOO TIKI FACE CYLINDER LAMP369 - ORCHIDS of HAWAII - BAMBOO TIKI FACE CYLINDER LAMP
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) This was a lamp produced mostly by Orchids of Hawaii. OA did occasionally stock Orchids lamps. Old stock with original wiring.16.5"x5.5...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold for (500.00 + 115.00BP) = 615.00
 
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OA TABLE HUT LAMP370 - OA TABLE HUT LAMP
Peekaboo Gallery
(1970s) This curious table lamp was created by OA for use in their Luau Rentals Department for area accent. One tiny flicker bulb mounted in the cente
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold for (750.00 + 150.00BP) = 900.00
 
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#2389 "HILO THATCH SHADE" OA LAMP371 - #2389 "HILO THATCH SHADE" OA LAMP
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) OA has run this exquisite lamp for years. The tiny bamboo panels on six sides make an intimate mood with backlighting.26"x18"VG+ w...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold for (750.00 + 172.50BP) = 922.50
 
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#2383 "TAHITIAN HUT SHADE" OA LAMP372 - #2383 "TAHITIAN HUT SHADE" OA LAMP
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) Another OA staple lamp. It was also offered with customization where logos or specific treatments could accent the side panels.20"x24&q...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold for (800.00 + 184.00BP) = 984.00
 
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#2384-S "BORA BORA BAMBOO SHADE" OA LAMP373 - #2384-S "BORA BORA BAMBOO SHADE" OA LAMP
Peekaboo Gallery
(1970s) A six sided bamboo framed lamp with Tiki side panels.20"x18"VG+ with typical wear
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold for (2,500.00 + 575.00BP) = 3,075.00
 
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VARIATION OF THE #2351 "BAMBOO AND RATTAN LIGHT" OA LAMP374 - VARIATION OF THE #2351 "BAMBOO AND RATTAN LIGHT" OA LAMP
Peekaboo Gallery
(1980s) This is variation of an old OA design. Instead of rattan, there's carved wood posts that brace the frame. Fiberglass lining.16"x13&...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold for (950.00 + 218.50BP) = 1,168.50
 
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#2386-S "KOOBOO CANE SHADE" OA LAMP375 - #2386-S "KOOBOO CANE SHADE" OA LAMP
Peekaboo Gallery
(1970s) White cylinder lamp with cane globe shade. This version came with a Tapa wrapped central light cylinder.15"x17"VG+ with typical wear
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold for (3,700.00 + 851.00BP) = 4,551.00
 
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PAGO PAGO - TUCSON, ARIZONA SCONCE LAMP376 - PAGO PAGO - TUCSON, ARIZONA SCONCE LAMP
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) A handsome wall sconce lamp was purchased back from the famous PAgo Pago in Tucson, Arizona. OA, Cargoes by Carter and Eli Hedley all provided
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold for (1,300.00 + 299.00BP) = 1,599.00
 
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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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