The premium Mayura Raksha keeps the classic peacock demon, three fans of feathers around a fierce face, and repaints it in three distinctive colour designs. The feather fans are painted in broad fields of colour with large eye spots along their edges, so each design reads clearly even at a small size.
Three designs. One pairs pale green feather fans with a red face and deep blue peacocks; one sets a red face against bright blue fans with a teal peacock on each side; and one gives the demon a black face, framed by vivid green fans and blue peacocks. All three share the wide eyes, white teeth and fangs of the Raksha family, with a small peacock on the brow.
Materials. Carved by hand from light kaduru wood, with the three feather panels fixed around a hollow face, and painted by hand. The back is bare wood with a small screw eye for hanging.
In tradition. Mayura is the classical word for peacock, and in Sri Lankan folk belief the peacock demon is associated with peace and prosperity. The masks are made in the carving tradition of the southern coast; read more about Raksha masks.
Sizes. 15 cm (6 in) and 20 cm (8 in) tall, sized for a shelf, a desk or a small wall. For larger sizes in the traditional blue and green, see the Mayura Raksha Mask.
