Scott McGerik’s Collections

Orchids of Hawaii, now defunct, created dozens of Tiki mugs, along with lamps, carvings, and dishes, for use in Polynesian restaurants and Tiki bars. Orchids of Hawaii went out of business in the early '90's. Dynasty Wholesale acquired a number of molds from Orchids of Hawaii and now produces mugs based upon those molds.

These vintage Tiki mugs, produced by Orchids of Hawaii, feature the visage of a tattooed Maori headhunter.

These glazed ceramic mugs are 7-inches tall and hold 16 ounces. They came in three colors: green, cream, and brown. An identifying mark is the “Orchids of Hawaii” printed on the bottom of the mugs. These mugs were manufactured first in Japan and then Taiwan and typically have the country of origin printed on the bottom. Both of the above mugs were made in Japan. And, most, but not all, R-1 Headhunter mugs have “R-1″ printed on the bottom. If there are no markings other than “China” on the bottom, the mug is probably a Dynasty Wholesale mug.

Similar mugs in my collections include an unmarked brown Headhunter mug.

This mug can be found on page 13 of Tiki Quest - Collecting the Exotic Past by Duke Carter.

This is the Orchids of Hawaii R-13A Coconut mug. The exterior surface is brown with a bisque finish. The interior is glazed and white.

On the bottom of this 15 ounce ceramic mug is “Orchids of Hawaii”, “R-13A”, and “Japan”.

Other coconut mugs in my collection include the Dynasty Wholesale DW116-S 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 12-ounce glazed, vintage ceramic mug is 6 1/4-inches tall. This mug depicts a Geisha who is holding a fan in her right hand, wearing a kimono, and has a flower in her hair. Geisha are traditional Japanese artist-entertainers who are trained in such skills as ancient Japanese dance, singing, flower arrangement, tea ceremony, calligraphy, and conversation. Geisha are not prostitutes, rather, they are professional entertainers.

Inscribed on the bottom is “Orchids of Hawaii”, “R-22″, and “Taiwan”.

This mug is similar to the Dynasty Wholesale DW121 Geisha mug, the Ichiban Geisha mug, the Daga Geisha mug, and an unidentified Geisha mug.

This vintage Tiki mug is in good condition, with sharp markings and no chips or cracks, and has green, rhinestone eyes. The rim and the base are both glazed while the body has a bisque exterior with a cream base with a brown stain overlay. The 13 ounce mug stands 6 inches tall.

On the bottom are the inscriptions “Orchids of Hawaii”, “Japan”, and “R-3″.

This Tiki mug can be found on page 16 of Tiki Quest - Collecting the Exotic Past by Duke Carter.

This vintage 13-ounce glazed ceramic, headvase-style mug stands 6 1/2-inches tall. This Tiki mug looks like a miniature Easter Island Moai statue carved from wood. Imprinted on the bottom of the mug is “Orchids of Hawaii” and “Japan”.

Similar mugs in my collection include the Dynasty Wholesale DW128 Easter Islander mug and an unmarked brown Moai mug.

This Tiki mug can be found on page 16 of Tiki Quest - Collecting the Exotic Past by Duke Carter.

At nine ounces, these vintage glazed ceramic mugs, produced by Orchids of Hawaii, are small. On the mugs is a dancing woman. She is wearing a grass skirt and has yellow lei around her neck and a red or purple hibiscus in her hair.

All four mugs are marked “Orchids of Hawaii” and “Japan” on the bottom. However, the two lighter called mugs, on the left, are additionally marked “R-73A”. The variations in color highlight the handpainted nature of these classic mugs.

These and similar mugs can be found on page 91 of Tiki Quest - Collecting the Exotic Past by Duke Carter.

This vintage ceramic 12-ounce mug stands 6-inches tall. This mug is molded in the semblance of the Hawaiian god Ku, the god of war.

Impressed on the bottom is “Orchids of Hawaii R-74″ and “Japan”.

Similar mugs in my collections include an unmarked brown Ku mug.

This Tiki mug can be found on page 15 of Tiki Quest - Collecting the Exotic Past by Duke Carter.

This vintage, glazed ceramic mug holds 12-ounces and is 6-inches tall. This mug depicts Lono, the God of Peace and Prosperity. This mug has been well cared for and has no chips, no crazing, and no skuff marks in the glaze.

Inscribed on the bottom of the mug is “Orchids of Hawaii”, “R-76″, and “Japan”.

This mug can be found on page 16 of Tiki Quest - Collecting the Exotic Past by Duke Carter.

This vintage cream-colored Tiki mug is fully glazed and features a suggestively-clad buxom girl with hibiscus flowers in her hair. This 13 ounce mug stands 6.75 inches tall and 3 inches wide.

Inscribed on the bottom of the mug are “Orchids of Hawaii”, “Japan”, and “R-79″.

Similar mugs in my collection include the Dynasty Wholesale DW141 Bikini Girl mug.

Variants of this mug can be found on page 89 of Tiki Quest - Collecting the Exotic Past by Duke Carter.

This 14-ounce, all-blue, vintage glazed ceramic mug stands 7-inches tall. It depicts a man riding a surfboard with waves crashing around him. On the back can be seen another person riding a surfboard in the distance. On the bottom is imprinted “Orchids of Hawaii R-80″ and “Japan”.

This mug is shown on page 93 of Tiki Quest - Collecting the Exotic Past by Duke Carter.

This 14-ounce, colorful, vintage, glazed ceramic mug stands 7-inches tall. It depicts a girl riding a surfboard with waves crashing around her. On the back can be seen dolphins jumping in the ocean with a mountainous island in the background.

On the bottom is imprinted “Orchids of Hawaii R-80A” and “Japan”.

Similar mugs in my collections include a Hawaiian Village Surfing Girl mug and an unidentified Surfing Girl mug.

This mug is shown on page 93 of Tiki Quest - Collecting the Exotic Past by Duke Carter.

This 22-ounce, vintage, glazed ceramic bowl stands 3 3/4-inches tall. On the front are three wahine on a beach. One woman is playing the ukulele while the other two dance. The dark-haired women are wearing green grass skirts and red leis. The scene is framed by two palm trees. On the reverse side are two pineapples.

On the bottom is imprinted “Orchids of Hawaii R-86″ and “Taiwan”.

Bowls similar to this in my collection include the Dynasty Wholesale DW117-s Compote bowl.

Variants of this bowl are shown on page 83 of Tiki Quest - Collecting the Exotic Past by Duke Carter.

This vintage brown Tiki mug is in good condition with no cracks or chips. On the bottom of the mug, it reads “Orchids of Hawaii R-91″ and “Japan”. This 13 ounce mug stands 5 inches tall. The Leilani mug is one of the more commonly found Tiki mugs.

The Leilani mug can be found on page 59 of Tiki Quest - Collecting the Exotic Past by Duke Carter.

This vintage 13 ounce cream-colored mug stands 6 1/2 inches tall. On the mug is a likeness of Confucious with a staff and a feather in his hand and a butterfly behind him. He is wearing a grey robe and a blue hat.

On the bottom is “Japan” and “Orchids of Hawaii”.

This vintage ceramic 12-ounce mug stands 7 1/2-inches tall. This mug is often referred to as the “Hotei” mug. Hotei, one of Japan’s Seven Lucky Gods, is known variously as the God of Contentment and Happiness 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. I aspire to be as happy and rotund as Hotei. Rubbing his stomach is said to bring good luck.

On the bottom is imprinted “Orchids of Hawaii”, “Japan”, and “R-95″.

Mugs similar to this in my collection are the Dynasty Wholesale DW123 Hotei mug and Benihana Hotei Mug.

This 12 ounce, glazed ceramic mug from Orchids of Hawaii has a hole where the girl’s hand is for inserting a paper parasol. Inscribed on the bottom of the mug is “Orchids of Hawaii”, “R-96″, and “Taiwan”.

Similar items in my collections include the Dynasty Wholesale Dw122 Parasol Girl Mug.

This vintage 13-ounce cream-colored mug stands 6 1/2 inches tall. On the mug is a likeness of Buddha with a feather in one hand and a bag slung over his shoulder. He is wearing a grey robe. On the back appears to be Kanji script. On the bottom is “Japan” “R-97″, and “Orchids of Hawaii”.

This vintage ceramic 13-ounce mug stands 6 1/2-inches tall. This mug is often referred to as the “Geisha Girl” tumbler. On the front is an Asian/Japanese woman wearing a green kinomo and a fuschia hat. On the back appears to be Kanji script. On the bottom is imprinted “Orchids of Hawaii”, “Japan”, and “R-98″.