Introducing “Art of Tiki”, the exclusive mystery tiki mug for the 2025 members of TikiLand Mug Society.

One of the things that has always fascinated collectors of Tiki culture is how authentic Oceanic art inspired so many of the decorative elements that became synonymous with the golden age of American tiki bars and restaurants. Among the most recognizable are the carved shields of Papua New Guinea, whose bold geometric forms and striking faces became iconic pieces of mid-century tiki décor.

Many enthusiasts will immediately recognize these shields from Oceanic Arts, whose reproductions found their way into countless tiki establishments across the country. For Disney fans, they are perhaps most famously displayed throughout Adventureland at Disneyland, where generations of guests have unknowingly admired these timeless works while making their way toward the Jungle Cruise, the Enchanted Tiki Room, and other classic attractions.

It was these legendary Papua New Guinea shields that inspired “Art of Tiki.” Rather than reproducing a single historical piece, Jeff Granito created an original design that celebrates the artistic style, craftsmanship, and enduring influence of these remarkable carvings. The result is a mug that pays tribute not only to the art itself, but also to the role it has played in shaping the visual language of Tiki culture for generations.

“The Art of Tiki” continues the ongoing story told through the TikiLand Mug Society mystery mug series, exploring the intersection of tiki, adventure, history, and the art that inspired it all.

This mug follows its TikiLand Mug Society predecessors: “Journey to Hawaii” (2022), inspired by the United Airlines HAWAII advertising campaign; “Gateway to Tiki” (2023), which bridged that campaign with United Airlines’ sponsorship of the Enchanted Tiki Room; and “Garden of Tiki” (2024), which celebrated the transition to Dole’s sponsorship and the beloved Tangaroa Babies of the Enchanted Tiki Garden.

With “Art of Tiki,” the journey steps back even further, celebrating the authentic Oceanic artwork that inspired so much of the tiki movement itself. Lost Tiki’s vision for the TikiLand Mug Society series has always been to tell part of his own journey, and that shared by so many enthusiasts, of falling down the Tiki rabbit hole. This is the fifth mug in that continuing story.

This mug is available exclusively to members of TikiLand Mug Society.