From Max's website:

"This mug was designed by California artist Shag. It’s based on an Andres Bumatay carving that can be found inside Max’s South Seas. The carving’s original home was the Village Apartments, Playa del Rey, CA, a Polynesian-themed apartment complex. Luckily, it was salvaged by collector Jordan Reichek when the apartment complex was torn down.

This carving is now mounted on the A-frame back bar inside Max’s (see photo.)

In our Grand Rapids ceramic studio, Max’s has produced 100 mugs in this Leopard glaze color. Each mug is numbered on the bottom and includes a numbered certificate of authenticity.

More info about the Village Apartments:

Located in a surprisingly welcomed proximity just over 3200 feet from the North tarmac of the Los Angeles Airport, The Polynesian Village Apartment complex was the epitome of primitive, space-age bachelor pad living for 1962. Designed again by prolific mid-century architects, Armet & Davis, the immersive environment featured a stylishly themed atmosphere, complete with 24/7 flaming gas Tiki torches and cascading lava rock waterfalls. Made in a series of three sister developments across Los Angeles county, the dingbat cubist apartment structures were adorned with redwood carvings by the renowned sculptor team of Andres Bumatay and Richard Ellis. Astonishingly, no two figures are alike and the contemporary free form nature of these rescued artifacts endure as the quintessential definition of 'Tiki-Modern'."

This Pau Meli design was produced in three different glazes and quantities of each: Avocado & Orange (200), a Leopard glaze (100), and a Rainbow glaze (25).