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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#2367 OA "NAUTICAL MOTIF CRATE LIGHT"581 - #2367 OA "NAUTICAL MOTIF CRATE LIGHT"
Peekaboo Gallery
(1970s) Same as Lot 580 description.21"x15"x23"VG+ with typical wear
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold for (950.00 + 218.50BP) = 1,168.50
 
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OA DOUBLE SIDED HANGING "ORCA" WHALE PANEL CARVING582 - OA DOUBLE SIDED HANGING "ORCA" WHALE PANEL CARVING
Peekaboo Gallery
(1990s) Another signature creation of LeRoy Schmaltz. Signed and comes with hanging hardware.27.5"x48"x4"VG+ with typical wear
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold for (425.00 + 85.00BP) = 510.00
 
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OA DOUBLE SIDED HANGING "SPERM WHALE" PANEL CARVING583 - OA DOUBLE SIDED HANGING "SPERM WHALE" PANEL CARVING
Peekaboo Gallery
(1990s) Another signature creation of LeRoy Schmaltz. Signed and comes with hanging hardware.18"x60"x4"VG+ with typical wear
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold for (700.00 + 161.00BP) = 861.00
 
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FIBERGLASS GIANT CLAM SHELL PUNCH BOWL584 - FIBERGLASS GIANT CLAM SHELL PUNCH BOWL
Peekaboo Gallery
(1970s) A very rare and finely detailed fiberglass casting of a Tridacna Gigas or Giant Clam Shell. These were manufactured for Oceanic Arts in the 19
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold for (1,300.00 + 299.00BP) = 1,599.00
 
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OA NAUTICAL DOCKSIDE DECOR COLLECTION585 - OA NAUTICAL DOCKSIDE DECOR COLLECTION
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s-80s) A great collection of miscellaneous nautically themed decor pieces from the OA Luau Rental Dept. These are the perfect accents for any Tik
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 800.00
Sold for (800.00 + 184.00BP) = 984.00
 
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HOBIE CAT CATAMARANS CORPORATE SIGNAGE586 - HOBIE CAT CATAMARANS CORPORATE SIGNAGE
Peekaboo Gallery
(1970s) Hobie Cat is a company that sprang out of the Southern California surfing craze. The product was essentially a lightweight sailing catamaran t
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold for (375.00 + 86.25BP) = 461.25
 
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PACIFIC UNION RAILWAY - CHARLIE BROWN'S RESTAURANTS587 - PACIFIC UNION RAILWAY - CHARLIE BROWN'S RESTAURANTS
Peekaboo Gallery
(1970s) Interior decor for the kitchy themed Charlie Brown's chain of restaurants. Carved by LeRoy Schmaltz.27"x16"VG+ with typical wear
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold for (425.00) = 425.00
 
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EL CHOLO MEXICAN RESTAURANT "ENTERTAINMENT NOW APPEARING" PROGRAM SHOWCASE SIGNAGE588 - EL CHOLO MEXICAN RESTAURANT "ENTERTAINMENT NOW APPEARING" PROGRAM SHOWCASE SIGNAGE
Peekaboo Gallery
(1970) Ultra hip 1970s styled interior lobby signage from the famous El Cholo Mexican Restaurant In La Habra, opened in 1962. Still family owned and o
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 500.00
Sold for (500.00) = 500.00
 
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"COSMIC SUN" THEME CARVING FOR TRINI LOPEZ'S PALM SPRINGS RESTAURANT "TRINI'S" - MASTER PATTERN CARV589 - "COSMIC SUN" THEME CARVING FOR TRINI LOPEZ'S PALM SPRINGS RESTAURANT "TRINI'S" - MASTER PATTERN CARV
Peekaboo Gallery
(1970s) Trini Lopez was a long time admirer and friend of Oceanic Arts. He commissioned OA to carve decor elements for his chain of Mexican Cantinas,
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold for (500.00 + 115.00BP) = 615.00
 
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A COLLECTION OF DIRECTIONAL SIGNAGE FOR JOLLY ROGER RESTAURANTS590 - A COLLECTION OF DIRECTIONAL SIGNAGE FOR JOLLY ROGER RESTAURANTS
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) A collection of restaurant interior directional signage from Jolly Roger Restaurants. These are the master samples OA kept upon need for reord
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold for (800.00 + 184.00BP) = 984.00
 
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A LARGE MASTER PATTERN CARVING FOR RESTAURANT BAR BACK WINE THEMED DECOR591 - A LARGE MASTER PATTERN CARVING FOR RESTAURANT BAR BACK WINE THEMED DECOR
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) A large, decorative wine barrel themed keg design with a blank ribbon area for customization. This is the master pattern carving.30"x20...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold for (275.00 + 55.00BP) = 330.00
 
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A COLLECTION OF BARREL THEMED WINERY SIGNAGE592 - A COLLECTION OF BARREL THEMED WINERY SIGNAGE
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) A collection of carved replicas of wine barrels with respective categories of wine.9.5" radius, 3" deep each, 4"x10.5"VG...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold for (350.00 + 70.00BP) = 420.00
 
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CHINA SAILS - MARINA DEL REY, CA "DRAGON HEAD" ARCHITECTURAL BEAM FINIAL - OA SAMPLE593 - CHINA SAILS - MARINA DEL REY, CA "DRAGON HEAD" ARCHITECTURAL BEAM FINIAL - OA SAMPLE
Peekaboo Gallery
(1970s) An absolutely impressive Chinese Dragon head carving for The China Sails Restaurant. Architectural beams jutting out from the main building st
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 3,000.00
Sold for (4,000.00 + 920.00BP) = 4,920.00
 
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OA MASTER PATTERN CARVING - CHINA SAILS RESTAURANT CHINESE CELESTIAL ANIMAL POST594 - OA MASTER PATTERN CARVING - CHINA SAILS RESTAURANT CHINESE CELESTIAL ANIMAL POST
Peekaboo Gallery
(1970s) A very pretty and detailed 4-sided obelisk post with carved symbols of Chinese celestial calendar animals. Created for The China Salis restaur
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold for (850.00) = 850.00
 
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LEROY SCHMALTZ - "MAORI STILL LIFE - MAORI BOWLS, TOOLS, BAG & BASKETS, FRUITS" PICTORIAL PANEL595 - LEROY SCHMALTZ - "MAORI STILL LIFE - MAORI BOWLS, TOOLS, BAG & BASKETS, FRUITS" PICTORIAL PANEL
Peekaboo Gallery
(1970s) A "carved painting" Maori still life study by LeRoy Schmaltz.15"x46"VG+ with typical wear
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 800.00
Sold for (1,200.00 + 276.00BP) = 1,476.00
 
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LEROY SCHMALTZ - "DREADFUL MAU" KILLER CARP FIGURAL CARVING596 - LEROY SCHMALTZ - "DREADFUL MAU" KILLER CARP FIGURAL CARVING
Peekaboo Gallery
(2000s) A large panel carving by LeRoy Schmaltz. Signed.18"x49"x2"VG+ with typical wear
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold for (900.00 + 207.00BP) = 1,107.00
 
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LEROY SCHMALTZ - "MARQUESAN STILL LIFE" SCENE PANEL597 - LEROY SCHMALTZ - "MARQUESAN STILL LIFE" SCENE PANEL
Peekaboo Gallery
(1970s) A large "carved painting" Marquesan still life study by LeRoy Schmaltz.80"x40"VG+ with typical wear
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 800.00 - 1,500.00
Sold for (1,000.00 + 230.00BP) = 1,230.00
 
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LEROY SCHMALTZ - "TWO FISH" ABORIGINAL PANEL PAINTING598 - LEROY SCHMALTZ - "TWO FISH" ABORIGINAL PANEL PAINTING
Peekaboo Gallery
(2000s) A two sided wood panel painting by LeRoy Schmaltz. Signed.10"x48"VG+
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold for (450.00 + 103.50BP) = 553.50
 
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LEROY SCHMALTZ - "ALLI MOA PORIA" FANCIFUL PAPUA NEW GUINEA PANEL PAINTING599 - LEROY SCHMALTZ - "ALLI MOA PORIA" FANCIFUL PAPUA NEW GUINEA PANEL PAINTING
Peekaboo Gallery
(2000s) A two sided wood panel painting by LeRoy Schmaltz. Signed.10"x48"VG+
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold for (450.00 + 103.50BP) = 553.50
 
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LEROY SCHMALTZ -"NEW GUINEA HUT" PAINTING600 - LEROY SCHMALTZ -"NEW GUINEA HUT" PAINTING
Peekaboo Gallery
(1970s) One of LeRoy's famous native hut scenes. In bamboo frame.34.75"x33"VG+ with typical wear
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold for (2,500.00 + 575.00BP) = 3,075.00
 
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