Fiji Iguanas

Fijian 17 inch Iguana soft toy, suitable for babies, toddlers and children.

Made in Fiji with vibrant Fijian fabric, beautiful designs by Coconut Kids.

Easy to keep clean - machine washable.

Mystery surrounds the arrival of Iguanas in Fiji, for these creatures are closely related to the jungle Iguanas of Central America. Could they, or their eggs, have floated across the Pacific on rafts of vegetation in a bygone age? Today, as they struggle to survive encroaching civilization and imported predators, Iguanas have become favoured symbols of Fiji native wildlife.

Fijian ‘masi’, also called barkcloth, is produced by village women on islands such as Vatulele. A renewable resource, masi is made by harvesting strips of bark from specially grown paper-mulberry trees. Each piece takes days to process, involving repeated pounding, soaking and stretching. These traditional skills are passed on from generation to generation, with certain clans being considered the experts in masi-making. The uneven quality of the masi reflects its handmade origin.

Maria Rova lives in Nadi, Fiji. Her artwork is inspired by the wildlife, culture, and scenery of the Pacific, especially that of the remote island of Taveuni to the north of the Fiji group, which is home to her husband’s traditional clan. Sustained by forest and reef, Taveuni villagers still follow many of the ancient cultural practices that give Fijian people their unique identity. The artist wishes to acknowledge gratefully the impact that her Fijian family has had on her work.

Framing instructions

This artwork has been left unframed for ease of shipping.

When ready to frame, simply peel the painting from its temporary backing and mount on a coloured background of your choice, leaving the rough edges of the masi showing to enhance its natural look.

This Fiji Masi painting is one of a set of two, celebrating emblems of Fiji’s forests and seas. ‘Vuata’ means ‘harvest time’ in Fijian. Featured here alongside geckos and parrots, and tropical fruit, is a bundle of ‘dalo’ – or taro – a staple in the diet of every Fijian family. During traditional festivals, dalo are cooked in large communal earth ovens, and eaten with freshly caught fish, pork, and other delicacies.

Fijian ‘masi’, also called barkcloth, is produced by village women on islands such as Vatulele. A renewable resource, masi is made by harvesting strips of bark from specially grown paper-mulberry trees. Each piece takes days to process, involving repeated pounding, soaking and stretching. These traditional skills are passed on from generation to generation, with certain clans being considered the experts in masi-making. The uneven quality of the masi reflects its handmade origin.

Maria Rova lives in Nadi, Fiji. Her artwork is inspired by the wildlife, culture, and scenery of the Pacific, especially that of the remote island of Taveuni to the north of the Fiji group, which is home to her husband’s traditional clan. Sustained by forest and reef, Taveuni villagers still follow many of the ancient cultural practices that give Fijian people their unique identity. The artist wishes to acknowledge gratefully the impact that her Fijian family has had on her work.

Framing instructions

This artwork has been left unframed for ease of shipping.

When ready to frame, simply peel the painting from its temporary backing and mount on a coloured background of your choice, leaving the rough edges of the masi showing to enhance its natural look.

The Fiji Pacific Iguana Silk painting is one of our favourite Sigavou Studios pieces because of the stunning colours hand-painted onto Silk with a Fijian Masi background.

This artwork is part of a series of Limited Edition Originals, each painted by hand. Artist M. W. Rova uses pure, white silk and dyes to create the vivid compositions for which she is known. Rova’s art is inspired by the wildlife, culture, and scenery of tropical Fiji, where she lives with her young family.

The frame surrounding the silk painting is made from traditional Fijian ‘masi’, also called barkcloth. This is produced by village women on the island of Vatulele. A renewable resource, ‘masi’ is made by harvesting strips of bark from specially grown paper-mulberry trees. Each piece takes day to process, involving repeated pounding, soaking, and stretching. These traditional skills are passed on from generation to generation, with certain clans being considered the experts in masi-making. The uneven quality of the masi reflects its handmade origin.

Framing instructions

This artwork has been left unframed for ease of shipping.

When ready to frame, simply peel the painting from its temporary backing and mount on a coloured background of your choice, leaving the rough edges of the masi showing to enhance its natural look.