In Imperial Russia, each regiment had its own heavenly patron and a banner with his image. Historian Pavel Savvaitov so described the military gonfalons of 16th—17th centuries:

 
The most popular material for church banners was fabric of different kinds. The fabric was decorated with sacred images, that were painted, embroidered, or created in the appliqué technique. They were decorated with gold and silver threads, cords, tassels and fringe.

There were also metal gonfalons. They were more durable than fabric ones and did not fade with time. The exhibit from the Bishop’s House collection belongs to this type. The upper part of the gonfalon is framed by an openwork metal ornament; it still bears traces of the gilding. In the center, there is a painted image of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker — the patron saint of farmers, children, soldiers and travelers, one of the most revered saints in Russia. The saint wears a bishop’s liturgical vestment: a broad long sakkos of red cloth and an omophorion — a long white band, which was worn around the neck and descended on the chest. The right hand of Nicholas the Wonderworker is raised, his fingers are folded in the gesture of blessing. The image has not been preserved in its entirety: some of the paint has faded and crumbled over time.