Category Archives: Fiji

FIJI – Paper Weight

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PLACE REPRESENTED: Fiji

ITEM: Paper Weight

NOTES: A paperweight that is also a water globe, a thermometer and a pen holder. There is a decal at the bottom that exclaims “Bula” (which means “hello” amongst other things) and “Fiji”. The wind surfers bopping around inside the hexagon “globe” could be from anywhere of course. When mass production comes to town all identity is lost. Buy something local, it may cost more but it will mean more. Of course if you need a a water globe, thermometer or a pen holder then ….

YEAR (APPROXIMATE): 2000s

MADE FROM: plastic

MADE IN: unknown

MANUFACTURER: unknown

DIMENSIONS: 10cm high x 7.5cm across

 

 

FIJI – Clock

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fiji-clock-1PLACE REPRESENTED:   Fiji Islands

ITEM: Clock NOTES: An ornate clock from Fiji  depicting all the island of Fiji. You could see this hanging in a tiki bar.

YEAR (APPROXIMATE): 1980s

MADE FROM: wood (“treated wood” apparently – probably specified so tourists can take the same back to their country of origin, or think they can, or have, in this case).

MADE IN:   Fiji probably

MANUFACTURER: unknown

DIMENSIONS: 22cm across , 29cm high

FIJI – Ornament

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Fiji - Ornament Carving (1)PLACE REPRESENTED:   Fiji Islands

ITEM: Ornament

NOTES: A stand up very simple wood carving of a traditional (?) Fijian beach village. Despite the handcraft in this, the slightly slapdash nature indicates these must have been churned out at a rapid pace. It’s as if the craftsman could see the boat load of tourists on the horizon.

YEAR (APPROXIMATE): 1990s

MADE FROM: wood

MADE IN:  Fiji (probably)

MANUFACTURER: Handmade

DIMENSIONS: 15.5cm across x 12cm high

FIJI ISLANDS – Photo Frame

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Fiji - Bula - Picture Frame (1)PLACE REPRESENTED:   Fiji Islands

ITEM: Frame

NOTES: A hand crafted photo frame from Fiji with the famous “Bula”, meaning “hello”… yet again!

YEAR (APPROXIMATE): 1990s

MADE FROM: wood

MADE IN:  unknown

MANUFACTURER: locally probably

DIMENSIONS: 18cm   x 15cm high

FIJI – Wooden Ornament

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Bula - Souvenir Wood Knife (1)PLACE REPRESENTED:   Fiji Islands

ITEM: Ornament

NOTES: This trinket is not from Bula, Indonesia nor Bula, The Phillipines. It’s from Fiji and the “bula” is not a place but a famous local expression for “hello”.

I’m not sure why “hello” is on an object in the shape of a knife though … it’s hardly inviting.

Maybe tourists feel threatened and are more likely to buy when they are confronted by a local yelling “bula” and brandishing what appears to be a dagger?

I’m sure airlines won’t let you take this in carry-on luggage.

How many of these simple tourist trinkets can a local churn out in one hour?

YEAR (APPROXIMATE): 1990s

MADE FROM: wood

MADE IN:  Fiji (probably)

MANUFACTURER: Handmade

DIMENSIONS: 45cm long

FIJI – Coasters

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PLACE REPRESENTED:   Fiji

ITEM: Coasters

NOTES: Excellent contemporary tiki coasters (six of them)  from Fiji.

YEAR (APPROXIMATE): 1990s

MADE FROM:  wood or board , plastic   cork base.

MADE IN:  ?

MANUFACTURER: unknown

DIMENSIONS: 8.5cm  diameter  (on the coasters) The holder is 10cm high