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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LARGE FROSTED BLUE GLASS FISHING FLOAT LAMP from THE LUAU.851 - LARGE FROSTED BLUE GLASS FISHING FLOAT LAMP from THE LUAU.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) This very large blue glass float is in netting and lit from within. This was salvaged from the famous THE LUAU location in Beverly Hills, CA.1
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold for (1,500.00 + 345.00BP) = 1,845.00
 
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OA MAORI TIKI CARVED DOOR PUSH PLATE MASTER PATTERN CARVING.852 - OA MAORI TIKI CARVED DOOR PUSH PLATE MASTER PATTERN CARVING.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) A Maori panel carving master pattern (not the uncarved portion at the top). Used for rather fancy door push plates. Inset abalone shell eyes.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold for (1,300.00 + 299.00BP) = 1,599.00
 
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#461 "ABORIGINAL SHIELD" MASTER PATTERN CARVING.853 - #461 "ABORIGINAL SHIELD" MASTER PATTERN CARVING.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1956) One of the earliest carvings by LeRoy Schmaltz upon commission by Cargoes by Carter. Again, another early piece first used at Disneyland and Th
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold for (1,100.00 + 220.00BP) = 1,320.00
 
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OA MAORI TIKI CARVED WALL PANEL MASTER PATTERN CARVING.854 - OA MAORI TIKI CARVED WALL PANEL MASTER PATTERN CARVING.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) A stunning carving by LeRoy Schmaltz, most probably in the early 1960s. This figural wall panel showcases the height of OA's quality in ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 1,500.00
Sold for (2,250.00) = 2,250.00
 
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#403 "NEW GUINEA CANOE PROW - TROBRIAND ISLAND" MASTER PATTERN CARVING.855 - #403 "NEW GUINEA CANOE PROW - TROBRIAND ISLAND" MASTER PATTERN CARVING.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) One of the highlights of the OA collection: A large and impressive piece, carved by LeRoy Schmaltz. This is the master pattern carving for a p
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,000.00
Sold for (1,700.00) = 1,700.00
 
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#235 "HAWAIIAN WAR GOD" - KU FIGURAL MASTER PATTERN CARVING.856 - #235 "HAWAIIAN WAR GOD" - KU FIGURAL MASTER PATTERN CARVING.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) A small KU Hawaiian War God master pattern carving by LeRoy Schmaltz. Spindle chocks present14"x6".VG+ with typical wear.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold for (1,400.00 + 322.00BP) = 1,722.00
 
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#221 "NEW GUINEA ANCESTOR FIGURE" MASTER PATTERN CARVING.857 - #221 "NEW GUINEA ANCESTOR FIGURE" MASTER PATTERN CARVING.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) A beautiful replica of a figure encountered by Bob and LeRoy on The Big Trip in New Guinea. This figure was also offered by OA as a 5-foot tal
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold for (900.00 + 207.00BP) = 1,107.00
 
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#222 "MARQUESAN TIKI" MASTER PATTERN CARVING.858 - #222 "MARQUESAN TIKI" MASTER PATTERN CARVING.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) A staple of the OA catalog. This nicely carved figure was also offered stacked as a post. Slight separation of the joined wood seam.18"...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 800.00
Sold for (1,100.00 + 253.00BP) = 1,353.00
 
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#400 "NEW ZEALAND MAORI TIKI" MASTER PATTERN CARVING.859 - #400 "NEW ZEALAND MAORI TIKI" MASTER PATTERN CARVING.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) Certainly another highlight of the OA collection. This large format Maori Tiki figure stands out as a jewel of the catalog. These were expensi
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,500.00
Sold for (6,500.00 + 1,495.00BP) = 7,995.00
 
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#213 "TAHITIAN TIKI" MASTER PATTERN CARVING (2nd VERSION).860 - #213 "TAHITIAN TIKI" MASTER PATTERN CARVING (2nd VERSION).
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) One of the iconic OA carvings of the past 60 years. This type was made initially for figural decor and their early 1960s side table reading la
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 800.00
Sold for (3,500.00 + 805.00BP) = 4,305.00
 
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#451 "NEW GUINEA CARVED & POLYCHROMED FIGURE - DISPLAY WALL SAMPLE.861 - #451 "NEW GUINEA CARVED & POLYCHROMED FIGURE - DISPLAY WALL SAMPLE.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) This carving could be considered the second graphic logo of Oceanic Arts. In fact, when OA and Tiki Diablo (Danny Gallardo) created the 50th A
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 800.00
Sold for (2,750.00 + 632.50BP) = 3,382.50
 
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#450 "NEW GUINEA CARVED & POLYCHROMED FIGURE - DISPLAY WALL SAMPLE.862 - #450 "NEW GUINEA CARVED & POLYCHROMED FIGURE - DISPLAY WALL SAMPLE.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) An OA showroom display wall sample. Polychromed by LeRoy Schmaltz.36"x12".VG+ with typical wear.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 700.00
Sold for (1,400.00 + 322.00BP) = 1,722.00
 
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#445 "NEW GUINEA CARVED & POLYCHROMED FIGURE - DISPLAY WALL SAMPLE.863 - #445 "NEW GUINEA CARVED & POLYCHROMED FIGURE - DISPLAY WALL SAMPLE.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) An OA showroom display wall sample. Polychromed by LeRoy Schmaltz.36"x12".VG+ with typical wear.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold for (2,000.00 + 400.00BP) = 2,400.00
 
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#444 "NEW GUINEA CARVED & POLYCHROMED FIGURE - DISPLAY WALL SAMPLE.864 - #444 "NEW GUINEA CARVED & POLYCHROMED FIGURE - DISPLAY WALL SAMPLE.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) An OA showroom display wall sample. Polychromed by LeRoy Schmaltz.30"x10".VG+ with typical wear.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold for (1,300.00 + 299.00BP) = 1,599.00
 
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#452 "NEW GUINEA CARVED & POLYCHROMED FIGURE - DISPLAY WALL SAMPLE.865 - #452 "NEW GUINEA CARVED & POLYCHROMED FIGURE - DISPLAY WALL SAMPLE.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) An OA showroom display wall sample. Polychromed by LeRoy Schmaltz.24.25"x12".VG+ with typical wear.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold for (1,200.00 + 276.00BP) = 1,476.00
 
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#2280 "SKULL ON POST" CUSTOMIZED BY LEROY SCHMALTZ.866 - #2280 "SKULL ON POST" CUSTOMIZED BY LEROY SCHMALTZ.
Peekaboo Gallery
(2000s) An OA specialty since its inception. LeRoy began customizing replica native cannibal posts such as this for Disneyland in 1956. These are in c
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold for (1,000.00 + 230.00BP) = 1,230.00
 
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#2280 "SKULL ON POST" CUSTOMIZED BY LEROY SCHMALTZ.867 - #2280 "SKULL ON POST" CUSTOMIZED BY LEROY SCHMALTZ.
Peekaboo Gallery
(2000s).27"x8".VG+ with typical wear.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold for (1,200.00 + 276.00BP) = 1,476.00
 
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#213 "TAHITIAN TIKI" OA CARVING MOUNTED ON PLINTH BASE.868 - #213 "TAHITIAN TIKI" OA CARVING MOUNTED ON PLINTH BASE.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1990s).22"x7.75"x7.25".VG+
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold for (1,500.00 + 345.00BP) = 1,845.00
 
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#423 "NEW GUINEA MASK" MASTER PATTERN CARVING.869 - #423 "NEW GUINEA MASK" MASTER PATTERN CARVING.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1950s) This is the 17.5" version of this classic mask from Schmaltz-Van Oosting. Spindle chocks present. Lovely patina.20"x8".VG+ wi...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold for (3,000.00 + 690.00BP) = 3,690.00
 
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#516 "NEW GUINEA MASK" MASTER PATTERN CARVING.870 - #516 "NEW GUINEA MASK" MASTER PATTERN CARVING.
Peekaboo Gallery
(1960s) Spindle chocks present.22"x11.5"VG+ with typical wear.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold for (1,200.00 + 240.00BP) = 1,440.00
 
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