in 1 collection
This is a large ashtray by Lokena Pottery Company (Don Payton). It has a verdigris bluish green exterior and a metallic gold interior. The exterior is ringed with a repeating image of a tiki/Menehune idol on display at the Bishop Museum.
The tikis/menehunes have no neck and a hunched over appearance. Each has a round head and a Tangaroan style mouth. Each also has nipples and a belly-button indentation. The original idol that inspired this design was found on Mokumanamana, one of the northwestern Hawaiian islands. Though the spiritual significance of the idol is unknown, Mokumanamana was the last known refuge of the Menehune, according to the legends of Kaua'i.
The bottom of this ashtray sits up on six raised round "feet" much like kava bowls.
