The 'Bajra' peacock head,
c.2003 and later, Indian, Chandannagar, part of the boat commissioned by the Mayor of London for the Festival of Light, on a wheeled wooden base,
95cm wide
115cm deep
186cm high

This monumental peacock head was originally part of the 'Bajra' peacock boat, commissioned by the Mayor of London for the Thames Festival, London, 2003. The peacock boat was the centrepiece of the Thames Festival, travelling along the banks of the River Thames as part of a mile-long 'River Of Light'. The boat had taken 10 people over 2 months to make in the town of Chandannagar, West Bengal, India, and it was made in 16 parts, then shipped and reassembled in London. The curator, Nandita Palchoudhuri, oversaw the design and construction of The Bajra under Sridhar Das. Small cellophane-wrapped bulbs were handstitched on to the specially designed metal framework. The completed boat was 7m long, 5m high, and used over 135,000 bulbs to illuminate it.

So great was the public reception to the Bajra in 2003, it prompted the Thames Festival to put the peacock boat on display in London, so that many more Londoners could view the spectacle. The Bajra was exhibited to the public on 17-18 September 2003 in the Jubilee Gardens as a static installation near the London Eye. Soon after, the peacock boat was transported to Blackpool to be displayed as a special exhibit, as part of the event to celebrate 125 years of the Blackpool illuminations in 2005. We understand this could be the only remaining part of the boat, as unfortunately most of it was destroyed by fire, but the head was able to be saved.

Condition Report

We are unable to comment on the quality or condition of the electrical wiring and make no guarantee whatsoever of its safe working order. Extensive repair and restoration. General wear commensurate with age and use.