This tiki is a Maori tekoteko (gable ornament), which often adorn the roof peaks of major buildings in Maori villages, especially storehouses (patakas), belonging to the village chiefs and used to safeguard food, tools, weapons, and other items. Each gable ornament depicts a founding ancestor, the progenitor of the group (iwi) of which the community forms a part. The ancestor grasps a kotiate (a type of hand club) firmly in his right hand. The kotiate was used in hand-to-hand combat, and its presence suggests that this ancestor was an accomplished warrior.

From TikiLand Trading Company:

"We had the pleasure of working with BigToe (Tom Laura) in a collaboration on the piece of art that inspired this mug. Limited solely by BigToe's imagination, we asked him to create his own representation of a traditional tiki while remaining true to his signature and unique style.

Mug size and volume: This mug is approximately 9.75 inches tall and holds about 17 oz (this will vary from mug to mug depending on wall thickness when it was made)."

Sculpted by THOR.

Glazed in a "redwood brown" with some turquoise blue/cyan in eyes.