This mug is based on a vintage 10' tall carving of a Frigate Bird done by Jim Casey that originated in 1960 with the opening of the Kona Kai in Philadelphia. It sat above their entryway originally and was salvaged when the Kona Kai was demolished in 1985. Later, it was purchased for Max's along with several other pieces in the Jordan Reichek collection which were catalogued by Sven Tiki in his exhibition catalogue book, The Art of Tiki, in 2017.
This mug was preceded by an ultra detailed version limited to 25 pieces and hand-painted by Max's in-house ceramics crew (Olivia, Elise, and Jerry "Bertiki " or "The Rainbow Professor").
This is the less detailed regular limited edition of 200 pieces which are 40% smaller than the Super Limited version.