Red and Gold Eastern Dragon mask, handmade leather masquerade costume for Chinese New Year, Mardi Gras, Halloween

This gorgeous handmade leather Eastern or Asian Dragon masquerade mask is red with iridescent golden horns, fur, whiskers, and shimmering scales. The cheek fluff pieces are a separate layer riveted to the main mask, and the lower jaw is a separate removable piece that adds dimension to this beautiful mask. (This mask can also be made without the cheek fluff and lower jaw pieces if you prefer. Please contact me for details.) The Eastern Dragon mask is made from high-quality vegetable-tanned leather, dyed red, and painted with gold, copper, and deep red acrylic paints. It ties on with red and golden organdy ribbons. I created the first version of this Chinese Dragon mask for a "Faces of the New Year" challenge.  Dragon dances are often performed during Chinese New Year celebrations, and red and gold are commonly seen at this time. Details vary, but according to some myths, the Eastern Dragon has the body of a snake, scales of a carp, head of a camel, horns of a stag, eyes of a hare, ears