A PIERCED COPPER SHI'A 'ALAM (STANDARD) AND A HINDU STEEL FINIAL WITH SPIKES AN EYE FOR DETAIL: PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE ESTATE IN NORTHERN LONDON Deccan and Southern India, 18th century and later Comprising a pierced copper sheet standard ('alam) of typical drop-like shape, the interior decorated with the name of the Prophet Muhammad 'Rasul Allah' (God's Messenger) and small roundels at the top invoking the first Shi'a Imam, 'Ali, 37cm high; and a forged steel finial with a circular spiral in the centre irradiating five arrow-like spikes in all the main direction, 50.5cm high.

Composed of several subsidiaries, the Drouot Group is a major player in the art market. Hôtel Drouot, located in the heart of Paris, has been the world's largest public auction center since 1852. 15 salerooms are available to more than 70 auction houses. The emulation generated by an annual offer of 230,000 artworks from 21 major specialities - from Antiquity to street art - attracts some 3,000 visitors every day. The Group's digital platform, Drouot.com, offers digital sales - Live auctions (live broadcasting and participation in auctions), Online-only auctions (dematerialised auctions) and Buy Now sales (sales of lots at fixed prices). Nearly 2 million items are offered annually by 600 auction houses. Auction news is reported every week in La Gazette Drouot, the leading weekly magazine for the art market and culture published by Auctionspress.