Leeteg of Tahiti - Tahitian Chief (Reproduction Print)

This item is a reproduction print of a famous Tiki-era oil painting titled 'Tahitian Chief'. The original artwork was created on black velvet by the renowned artist Edgar Leeteg, often referred to as 'Leeteg of Tahiti,' who is widely considered the father of modern velvet painting. The visible portion of the item shows a white or off-white paper border featuring the title 'TAHITIAN CHIEF' in a black, sans-serif, capitalized font. Below this, smaller text reads, 'From an Original Oil Painting on BLACK VELVET by...', followed by the artist's stylized signature logo 'Leeteg of Tahiti,' which includes a miniature portrait icon between the names. The print is mounted against a deep black background that mimics the original velvet medium. The paper shows signs of age-related toning/yellowing and subtle edge wear. The bottom edge appears slightly uneven, suggesting it may have been hand-cut or removed from a portfolio. This piece likely dates from the mid-20th century (approximately the 1950s or 1960s), coinciding with the height of the mid-century Polynesian Pop/Tiki culture craze in America. Such prints were common souvenirs and decorative items during the period, capturing the lush, romanticized aesthetic of the South Pacific through Leeteg's high-contrast, luminous style.