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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EARLY LEROY SCHMALTZ HAND PAINTED PALM SPATHE FETISH.611 - EARLY LEROY SCHMALTZ HAND PAINTED PALM SPATHE FETISH.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1950s) An early LeRoy palm mask painted with a floral pattern.41"x12".VG with paint wear.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold for (450.00 + 103.50BP) = 553.50
 
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EARLY BOB VAN OOSTING PALM SPATHE MASK CARVING.612 - EARLY BOB VAN OOSTING PALM SPATHE MASK CARVING.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1956) A very early palm mask carved by Bob in the very early period of Schmaltz-Van Oosting. Listed in early catalogs as "An "Afro--Polyn...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold for (1,700.00 + 391.00BP) = 2,091.00
 
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EARLY SCHMALTZ & VAN OOSTING TIKI "MANA" SURF CHARMS MASTER PATTERN.613 - EARLY SCHMALTZ & VAN OOSTING TIKI "MANA" SURF CHARMS MASTER PATTERN.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1956) One of the earliest offerings from Schmaltz-Van Oosting are their Tiki "Mana Surf" Charms. This is a rare "double pattern"...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold for (750.00 + 172.50BP) = 922.50
 
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EARLY SCHMALTZ & VAN OOSTING TIKI "MANA" SURF CHARM BRONZE CABINET PULL MASTER MOLD PATTERN.614 - EARLY SCHMALTZ & VAN OOSTING TIKI "MANA" SURF CHARM BRONZE CABINET PULL MASTER MOLD PATTERN.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1950s) The next step in the saga of the Mana Surf Charms was their repurposing as brass and bronze door and cabinet pulls. For many years, these rema
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold for (450.00) = 450.00
 
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HISTORIC "FIRST TIKI" MOAI CARVING BY BOB VAN OOSTING (SECOND OF TWO).615 - HISTORIC "FIRST TIKI" MOAI CARVING BY BOB VAN OOSTING (SECOND OF TWO).
Peekaboo Gallery
(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 c
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 900.00
Sold for (10,000.00 + 2,300.00BP) = 12,300.00
 
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#429 "NEW GUINEA MASK" - EARLY VERSION MASTER PATTERN CARVING.616 - #429 "NEW GUINEA MASK" - EARLY VERSION MASTER PATTERN CARVING.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1950s) Another early product initiated by Bob and LeRoy's fulfillment of the Cargoes by Carter catalog. This #429 mask was made later in a much...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 800.00
Sold for (3,250.00 + 747.50BP) = 3,997.50
 
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#412 "NEW CALEDONIA TABOO" MASTER PATTERN CARVING.617 - #412 "NEW CALEDONIA TABOO" MASTER PATTERN CARVING.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1950s) An historic, early artifact. Carved by Bob Van Oosting, this is the master pattern carving with spindle chocks. This piece can be seen in the
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 1,000.00
Sold for (1,200.00) = 1,200.00
 
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#415 "NEW GUINEA TALE" MASTER WALL SAMPLE.618 - #415 "NEW GUINEA TALE" MASTER WALL SAMPLE.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1950s) An iconic OA artifact, this one straight off the display wall at OA where it has hung for decades. This piece was initially created for Tiki a
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 1,000.00
Sold for (2,750.00 + 632.50BP) = 3,382.50
 
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#489 "MORTLOCK ISLAND MASK" MASTER PATTERN CARVING.619 - #489 "MORTLOCK ISLAND MASK" MASTER PATTERN CARVING.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1950s) An early Schmaltz-Van Oosting product. This is the master pattern carving with spindle chocks.14.25"x5.5".VG+ with typical wear.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold for (700.00 + 161.00BP) = 861.00
 
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#414 "NEW CALEDONIA TABOO" MASTER PATTERN CARVING.620 - #414 "NEW CALEDONIA TABOO" MASTER PATTERN CARVING.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1950s) Another Bob Van Oosting carving from the early years when he executed some of the company's art.24"x12.5".VG+ with typical wear.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 800.00
Sold for (1,000.00) = 1,000.00
 
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