A monumental Safavid brass and bronze processional standard

This ‘alam (processional standard) rise from a tubular brass shaft with floral lattice through a slightly tapering spherical element with inscribed medallions. A pierced cube above is engraved with the invocation of Muhammad; this is cut out over floral scrolls on each side. There are numerous depiction of stylised dragons’ heads fixed along the edges. At the centre of the axis, there is a rotating floral enamelled egg shaped ceramic element.