I had this mug for some time when one day I spied an identical looking mug in the "Holy Grail" case at Oceanic Arts. The mug was made by Spurlin Ceramics of Lynwood, Ca. The designer of this, and quite a few others, was Stella Bodey. Stella designed the famous "open mouth" mug for Nashville's Mahi Mahi, along with mugs for the Islander and Tahitian in Los Angeles. Spurlin's was really just a small operation but nonetheless they were one of the first to supply mugs and bowls to the Polynesian industry in the 1960's. They made mugs for some of the most famous tiki bars off the era. Spurlin's mugs, like this one, have a real hobbyist or amateur look to them but in actuality they are a seminal part of the tiki fad of the last century. Many of these mugs were made in conjunction with Oceanic Arts and offered to their commercial customers The mug is very heavy for its size and measures about 6" tall. Thick construction, it is without defect. The above was quoted from "Capt Midnight's" ebay auction. I found this one at a yard sale about 5 years ago.
Tags
Collector Gallery
Tiki Mug Design
Spurlin Ceramics Tiki Mug
in 5 collections
This simple brown mug was manufactured by Spurlin Ceramics. The full body tiki has almond-shaped eyes, a tear drop-shaped nose and a figure eight mouth. It has a simple headdress that starts at the bridge of the nose and ends at the jawline on each side of his face.