Frank Schirman
?-1978
"Beauties with Exotic Black Coral"
and sometimes Monkeypod Driftwood & other things
There isn't alot of information out there on the Internet about Mr. Schirman, and this is probably the most comprehensive site on the internet about the man. This is all of the information that I currently have on Mr. Frank Schirman. It has been rather frustrating to figure out things about the work of Schirman. First it appears that much of his work was done from 1958 to 1978, when he died. He apparently started working with driftwood (Milo wood) found along the Hawaiian Beaches, and these pieces of art, are one of a kind, and highly sought after. Most are selling on E-Bay for between $100-$500 per piece.
At some point in his career, Schirman started to do art pieces using pulverized Black Coral and mixed resins to create his beautiful sculptures. Now this is where things get strange! There has been speculation that Mr. Schirman either worked for, or worked with a company called Poly Art (Polynesian Art) Ltd. at some point. I think what happened, is that Poly Art approached Mr. Schirman and suggested that if he designed the pieces, they (Poly Arts) could then mass produce them.
I finally found what I am calling the "Missing Link" piece. it's the "Napua" piece (see below) where I have four different versions of it. One is the typical Schirman piece, two are slightly different and the last one was made by Poly Arts. These pieces are highly sought after as they tend to have slight differences in each piece. Most pieces seemed to have their hair painted white, some have their hair is left black, but I have one piece where the hair is golden. I'm not sure if the white turns golden with age or if the white paint wasn't mixed well. Some pieces will have yellow paint on the flowers, where most flowers were left white on other pieces. I even have pieces that have different sizes from the same model. More irregular pieces will have the back half of the head gone, where most pieces have full round heads. I even have discovered different pieces with the same name as if there was early versions and then later redone with newer versions. All of these variations are probably due to different workers, who worked on the pieces. It also seems that pieces would be made in a Monkeypod resin first and then the Black Coral version was next.
Later at some point in the late 1960's or early 1970's, Mr. Schirman formed Schirman Inc. and the finished product started looking like a professionally made piece of art. Most of Mr. Schirman's Black Coral and Monkeypod pieces are selling on E-Bay for between $10.00 to $200.00.
Information taken from a Schirman Sales brochure
"Hawaiian Beauties with Exotic Black Coral"
These are objects d'art made in Hawaii with Hawaiian Black Coral. These statuettes are collectors items created by the internationally known sculptor, Frank Schirman. They depict the lovely maidens of old Hawaii with all of their friendly charms, happy expressions, and uninhibited allure.
Frank Schirman is known world wide for his exquisite sculpture in driftwood from Hawaii. These outstanding pieces have been sought after by connoisseurs of fine art since 1958, and now grace their collections in many countries. By combining black coral, from Hawaii's ocean floors, with other fillers, binders, and pigments, it is possible to artistically recreate these beautiful designs by Frank Schirman.
Schirman Inc. 41-888 Kakaina St.. Waimanalo, HI Phone 259-9110
(My Collection Below)
My first Milo Driftwood Original by Mr. Schirman, these are individually hand carved and can not be mass produced like the others.
"Kanani" (The Beauty) #22-1967
"Kanani" with White hair
a second type of Kanani?
"Momi" (Pearl) #38-1968
My second Momi
"Lehua" (Rainflower) #51-1975
my second Lehua, but with Black hair, and the flower is painted white and then yellow.
my 3rd Lehua with the white flower with only a little yellow paint.
"Leialoha" (Beloved Child) #12-1967
my second Leialoha
Lopaka #47 "Robert"
"Kealoha" 1967
my second "Kealoha, which is smaller and brighter than then first one
"Melia" (Plumeria) #41-1969
Luana (Enjoyment) 1972
Laka (Hula Goddess) #24 w/golden hair
Laka in Monkeypod Wood
Laka with white hair
"Kanoa" (Free One) #11
"Kapiolani"(Queen) #17
My second Kapiolani, which is smaller in height than the previous one and the hair is duller.
my third Kapiolani is made of Monkeypod wood.
"Lorelei" 1965
"Napua" (The Flower) #21
2nd "Napua" with half of head missing and with black hair
black hair with full head
This is the Poly Arts edition "The Missing Link" of Napua, showing some proof that Schirman and Poly Arts was connected. The bottom of this piece state it's Poly Art #28. It's also smaller than the above pieces.
Nani #34 "Beautiful"
"Koaniani" 1967
made from Monkey Pod
Lokelani (Heavenly Rose) 1965
the more common one with the white hair
Akamu & Eve #43 "Adam & Eve"
Mele O Hawaii "Music of Hawaii"
Na Ipo #42 "The Sweethearts"
Hawn Girl #31 & Boy #32 pieces
with the yellow paint
#49 Large Boy Pl. & #48 Large Girl Pl.
Serenity
The three pieces below has 3 different variations in color and the shape of the back of the head. There is so much confusion with these pieces!!!
These next 3 pieces are early versions of the Kealoha model (seen above)
These pieces are known as "Puanani" , the Monkeypod version has the #185 on the bottom. These pieces are much smaller than the normal Schirman pieces.
Other Schirman pieces, not in my collection yet!
Polynesian Art
