Tiki Statues

Tiki statues usually conjure up one of two different images to most people. Either ancient island peoples grand creations standing tall and proud with symbolic meanings. Or the pop era tiki statues that were spread about tiki bars.

Tiki statues of ancient island peoples with symbolic meanings

There are many styles to the ancient island tikis, or ki 'i in Hawaii. They were often temple images and were placed in precise locations either as a guard or a lookout. They were also used in sacrifices and ceremonies that were often meant to serve as helpers with fertility, abundant crops, war, wealth, and overall were regarded as "good luck" charms. There were, in rare cases, sorcery images created for bad will, but this was very seldom. There were also specific tiki statues that were placed in family homes as a sort of personal God to protect the family. In ancient Hawaiian times, these were called amakua ki 'i or images. Many of the Pacific Islands had there own story, symbolism and styles for carving a tiki statue. I will expand more on that at a later time.

Tiki statues of the pop era that are found at tiki bars

Tiki statues had its own era in American pop culture starting in the 50's and still going on today. The story goes that many U.S. soldiers that had fought in War World 2 came back from the Pacific with grand tales of island life and art. Some of these men wished to re-create their Pacific tiki hut, and set about creating the first tiki bars. Of course they had to have tiki statues for these tiki bars, so they set about carving their own creations. Most were based on old Polynesian designs with some new twists, thus creating a new style in the availablility of tiki statues.

Now, in the modern era, you can find reproductions of the ancient symbolic tiki statues, and tiki bar statues available for purchase by a variety of artists, but very few carve them both. One that does, is your humble writer and fellow tiki affianado. I seek out all styles of tiki and can custom create for you any look that you desire. From very inexpensive yard statues for decorations to a roomful for your tiki bar, to elaborate museum quality reproductions, you can count on me to make the exact tiki statue you desire. For more information, either email me or use this link, and hire the tiki carver to carve custom tiki statues for you.