Scott McGerik’s Collections

Dynasty Wholesale is a restaurant supply company in New York that continues to sell ceramic Tiki mugs. Many of these mugs are based upon original Orchids of Hawaii designs.

This 9 ounce, glazed ceramic Tiki mug is produced by Dynasty Wholesale. On the front is a wide-mouthed Tiki with a handle on the right side. The reverse side is styled to look like wood. On the base is a woven thatch design. On the bottom, in raised lettering is “Made in China” and “DW108″.

This is a Dynasty Wholesale DW113 Green Tiki mug. This ceramic mug is most likely modeled after the Orchids of Hawaii R-5 Green Tiki mug.

On the bottom of this 12 ounce ceramic mug is the inscription “Made in China” and “DW113″.

Similar items in my collections include an unmarked green Tiki mug.

Mugs similar to this can be found on page 16 of Tiki Quest - Collecting the Exotic Past by Duke Carter.

This brown, glazed ceramic mug is produced by Dynasty Wholesale. On the bottom this 12 ounce mug is the inscription “Made in China” and “DW115-D”.

Bamboo, which originated in Asia, is not native to Polynesia. Instead, it was spread by sea-faring Polynesians who used it as a source of building materials, needles, and water containers.

This brown, glazed ceramic mug by Dynasty Wholesale is probably modeled after the Orchids of Hawaii R-6 Bamboo mug.

On the bottom this 12 ounce mug is the inscription “Made in China” and “DW115-D”.

Bamboo, which originated in Asia, is not native to Polynesia. Instead, it was spread by sea-faring Polynesians who used it as a source of building materials, needles, and water containers.

This ceramic reproduction mug by Dynasty Wholesale is probably modeled after the Orchids of Hawaii R-13 Coconut mug. The exterior surface is brown with a bisque finish. The interior is glazed and white.

On the bottom this 14 ounce ceramic mug is the inscription “Made in China” and “DW116-S”.

Other coconut mugs in my collection include the Orchids of Hawaii R-13A Coconut mug.

Many variations of the coconut mug can be found on pages 108-112 of Tiki Quest - Collecting the Exotic Past by Duke Carter.

While coconuts are often associated with Polynesia, there is controversy as to their actual origin. Some contend the coconut palm originated in southeast Asia while others argue it came from south America. Without a doubt, its distribution across Polynesia was aided by the seafaring Polynesians who used the tree as a source of food and building materials.

Drinks served in coconuts, whether real or ceramic, are a staple of classic Polynesian restaurants and Tiki bars.

This 16-ounce glazed ceramic bowl is listed as a Compote bowl in Dynasty Wholesales catalog and appears to be a reproduction of an OMC bowl. On the front of the bowl are three women wearing yellow skirts and red bikini tops. All appear to be dancing on a beach. The scene is framed on both sides by two pair of palm trees. Behind the girls are two sailboats on the ocean and further on the horizon is a volcanic island. The reverse side of the bowl is not decorated. The base of the bowl is a pedestal.

On the bottom of the bowl is imprinted “Made in China” and “DW117″.

Similar bowls in my collection include the Orchids of Hawaii R-86 Compote bowl.

Bowls similar to this one can be found on pages 81-84 of Tiki Quest - Collecting the Exotic Past by Duke Carter.

This glazed ceramic mug, produced for Dynasty Wholesale, is most likely a reproduction of the Orchids of Hawaii R-82 (Fu Manchu). On the bottom of this 15 ounce ceramic mug is imprinted “Made in China” and “DW118″.

Dr Fu-Manchu, after whom this mug is modeled, was first introduced in Sax Rohmer’s novel “The Mystery of Dr. Fu-Manchu” in 1913.

Imagine a person, tall, lean and feline, high-shouldered, with a brow like Shakespeare and a face like Satan, a close-shaven skull, and long, magnetic eyes of the true cat-green. Invest him with all the cruel cunning of an entire Eastern race, accumulated in one giant intellect, with all the resources of science past and present, with all the resources, if you will, of a wealthy government–which, however, already has denied all knowledge of his existence. Imagine that awful being, and you have a mental picture of Dr. Fu-Manchu, the yellow peril incarnate in one man.

Nayland Smith to Dr. Petrie
“The Insidious Dr. Fu Manchu”

Mugs similar to this can be found on pages 101-102 of Tiki Quest - Collecting the Exotic Past by Duke Carter.

The Dynasty Wholesale DW120 Skull, a 10-ounce, glazed, ceramic mug, is probably a reproduction of the Orchids of Hawaii R-10 Skull mug which was 2 ounces larger. On the bottom is the barely legible imprint “DW120″.

This 10 ounce white, glazed ceramic mug has a hole in the front for a straw and an opening in the back. This mug depicts a Geisha who is holding a fan in her right hand and wearing a kimono. On the bottom of the mug is “Made in China” and “DW121″.

This mug is similar to the Orchids of Hawaii R-22 Geisha mug and the Ichiban Geisha mug.

Geisha are traditional Japanese artist-entertainers who are trained in such skills as ancient Japanese dance, singing, flower arrangement, tea ceremony, calligraphy, and conversation.

This 12 ounce, glazed ceramic mug from Dynasty Wholesale has a hole where the girl’s hand is for inserting a paper parasol. On the bottom of the mug in raised relief is “Made in China” and “DW122″.

Similar items in my collections include the Orchids of Hawaii R-96 Parasol Girl Mug.

This 12 ounce, glazed ceramic mug, produced by Dynasty Wholesale, depicts Hotei. On the bottom of the mug is “Made in China” and “DW123″. This mug has a hole in the belly for a straw and an opening in the back for adding beverage and ice.

Similar mugs in my collection include the Orchids of Hawaii R-95 Hotei mug and the Benihana Hotei mug.

Hotei is known variously as the god of abundance or the “laughing buddha”. He was an eccentric Zen priest of the late Tang dynasty in China who walked around collecting offerings with a huge bag. He reportedly had a large belly and slept in the snow.

This 12-ounce ceramic mug, resembling an Easter Island Moai statue, is produced by Dynasty Wholesale. Similar mugs in my collection include a Orchids of Hawaii R-72 Easter Island mug and an unmarked brown Moai mug.

Tiki mugs similar to this can be found on page 16 of Tiki Quest - Collecting the Exotic Past by Duke Carter.

The Moai statues on Easter Island were carved from volcanic rock starting around AD 1100 to mid-1600. Approximately 890 of these statues were carved and erected, ranging in height from 8 feet to an unfinished statue that is 71 feet. The average height is 13 feet and weighed 8 to 10 tons.

This 12-ounce glazed ceramic mug, produced for Dynasty Wholesale, depicts a Giant Panda, a bear-like mammal, holding a bamboo shoot. Next to its right shoulder is a straw hole with a larger opening on the reverse side for adding your favorite beverage. On the bottom of this mug is “Made in China” and “DW129″.

The Giant Panda is a black-and-white colored bear-like mammal that is native to south and central China. The Giant Panda lives almost entirely on the bamboo, although, they will eat eggs, fish, and some insects. The Giant Panda is an endangered species with only an estimated 1600 living in the wild.

This glazed ceramic mug depicts the likeness of Jurojin, the God of Longevity, one of Japan’s Seven Lucky Gods. He occupies the same body as Fukurokuju, the God of Wisdom and Longevity. He is often depicted as an old man with a long white beard and an unusually high forehead. In this depiction, he is wearing a robe, carrying a staff, and holding a fan. You can see his feet peaking out from under the bottom of his robe.

There is hole in his beard for a straw and a larger hole in the back for adding a beverage. On the bottom, in raised lettering, is “DW130″ and “Made in China”.

Similar mugs in my collection include the Benihana Fukurokuju mug.

This 12-ounce glazed ceramic mug, produced for Dynasty Wholesale, is most likely a reproduction of the Orchids of Hawaii R-79 Lani mug. This mug features a suggestively-clad buxom girl with hibiscus flowers in her hair.

One the bottom of the mug is imprinted “Made in China” and “DW141″.

Mugs similar to this can be found on page 89 of Tiki Quest - Collecting the Exotic Past by Duke Carter.

This 12-ounce glazed ceramic mug, produced for Dynasty Wholesale, is most likely a reproduction of the Orchids of Hawaii R-93 China Doll mug. This mug features a dancing woman who is wearing a flowing yellow robe.

One the bottom of the mug is imprinted “Made in China”.

This glazed ceramic mug depicts a black and white whale leaping up from the blue ocean. There is a hole in its “nose” for a straw.

Imprinted on the bottom of this glazed ceramic mug is “Made in China”.

This 16-ounce glazed ceramic mug, produced for Dynasty Wholesale, features the visage of black-haired pirate who has a bulbous nose, beard, and patch over one eye.

This Dynasty Wholesale DW202 Donkey Cup is a handpainted, glazed, ceramic mug moulded in the shape of a donkey. He is wearing a sombrero and has saddle, with a blanket draped over it, on his back. There is a hole in his sombrero for a straw and a larger hole in his neck for adding a beverage and ice. On the bottom is “Made in China” and “DW202″.

This 14 ounce, glazed ceramic mug depicts a swashbuckling pirate on one side and a skull on the other. The pirate has a hook for a hand on his right arm, a patch over his right eye, a wooden peg left for his left foot, and a sword in a scabbard in his left hand. He obviously has experienced a few rough battles. The skull is wearing a red bandana and has two crossed swords behind it.

In raised lettering on the bottom is “DW542″ and “Made in China”.

On the front of this ceramic mug are two men sparring. Written in ink below them is “Karate Punch”. The reverse side features the same scene sans writing.

Mugs similar to this can be found on page 104 of Tiki Quest - Collecting the Exotic Past by Duke Carter.