Processional Standard ('Alam)

Art Historical Context

This striking brass *Processional Standard ('Al)* from the late 17th to early 18th century the masterful metalwork of Islamic art. Standing nearly 38 inches tall and 12 inches wide, was designed to be carried aloft during religious processions, serving as a powerful emblem of devotion. Crafted from durable brass, a favored medium in Islamic workshops for its malleability and lustrous finish, the standard likely features intricate repoussé techniques—hammering the metal from the reverse to create raised motifs—allowing for bold, three-dimensional forms visible from afar. In the context of Shia...