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Blake’s Book of Urizen

Creation and rebellion in Blake’s illuminated plates.

Nielsen’s East of the Sun

Norwegian fairy tales illustrated by Kay Nielsen.

Gnostic Spirit Drawings

Four colour drawings from a 1908 Gnostic text.

Doré’s Dante

From the dark wood to Paradise with Gustave Doré.

The Kingdom of the Gods

Ethelwynne Quail’s visions of the spirit world.

Vassos’s Phobia

Art Deco studies of fear by John Vassos.

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44 illustrations

Badoura looks toward the harbour while ruling the Ebony Isles under Camaralzaman's identity. — Edmund Dulac
Badoura looks toward the harbour while ruling the Ebony Isles under Camaralzaman's identity.
Princess Badoura: A Tale from the Arabian Nights

Working in an elderly gardener's plot, Camaralzaman sees one bird kill another and watches other birds bury the victim and punish its attacker. — Edmund Dulac
Working in an elderly gardener's plot, Camaralzaman sees one bird kill another and watches other birds bury the victim and punish its attacker.
Princess Badoura: A Tale from the Arabian Nights

Nine circular pentacles containing stars, crosses and letter-like symbols. — Nine circular designs combine geometric figures, lettering and monograms.
The Book of Black Magic and of Pacts

Two circular talismans, one containing a radiant triangle and the other a square surrounding a sun. — A radiant triangle inscribed Jeova fills one circular design; a square and central solar form organise the other.
The Book of Black Magic and of Pacts

A flowering plant and magical characters inside a diamond within a square border. — A flowering stem occupies a diamond inside a square, with letters and small emblems in the surrounding compartments.
The Book of Black Magic and of Pacts

During the journey to Camaralzaman's homeland, the prince discovers a red inscribed stone tied into Badoura's girdle while she sleeps. — Edmund Dulac
During the journey to Camaralzaman's homeland, the prince discovers a red inscribed stone tied into Badoura's girdle while she sleeps.
Princess Badoura: A Tale from the Arabian Nights

At Badoura's command, the ship's captain returns to seize Camaralzaman and bring him to the Ebony Isles. — Edmund Dulac
At Badoura's command, the ship's captain returns to seize Camaralzaman and bring him to the Ebony Isles.
Princess Badoura: A Tale from the Arabian Nights

A four-armed figure stands on an oval base between a horned animal and a striped feline. Bow, arrow, blade and a small vessel occupy its hands. The body combines different garments and ornaments, with a dotted circle behind the head and a caption on the base. — Artist not recorded
A four-armed figure stands on an oval base between a horned animal and a striped feline.
Transcendental Magic

Twelve numbered zodiac designs combine animals, figures and objects with polished gem settings. — William Thomas Pavitt (signed illustration)
Twelve numbered zodiac designs combine animals, figures and objects with polished gem settings.
The Book of Talismans, Amulets and Zodiacal Gems

A numbered arrangement brings together an encircling serpent, sacred feet, a vajra, small seated figures, a swastika emblem and floral pendants. — William Thomas Pavitt (signed illustration)
A numbered arrangement brings together an encircling serpent, sacred feet, a vajra, small seated figures, a swastika emblem and floral pendants.
The Book of Talismans, Amulets and Zodiacal Gems

A tortoise and fish appear above a seated smiling figure, a dragon device, a triple-bladed charm and objects hung from cords. — William Thomas Pavitt (signed illustration)
A tortoise and fish appear above a seated smiling figure, a dragon device, a triple-bladed charm and objects hung from cords.
The Book of Talismans, Amulets and Zodiacal Gems

Three ankh forms open a numbered arrangement that also includes a long sistrum, small standing deity figures and simple geometric pendants. — William Thomas Pavitt (signed illustration)
Three ankh forms open a numbered arrangement that also includes a long sistrum, small standing deity figures and simple geometric pendants.
The Book of Talismans, Amulets and Zodiacal Gems

Tall layered pillars stand beside small figure pendants, vessel-like forms and looped knots. — William Thomas Pavitt (signed illustration)
Tall layered pillars stand beside small figure pendants, vessel-like forms and looped knots.
The Book of Talismans, Amulets and Zodiacal Gems

A scarab and winged scarab occupy the top of a numbered plate above eye emblems, slender pendants and small pillars. — William Thomas Pavitt (signed illustration)
A scarab and winged scarab occupy the top of a numbered plate above eye emblems, slender pendants and small pillars.
The Book of Talismans, Amulets and Zodiacal Gems

A frog-topped ring, ram’s head, bell, fish, bird and several inscribed gems fill a numbered comparative page. — William Thomas Pavitt (signed illustration)
A frog-topped ring, ram’s head, bell, fish, bird and several inscribed gems fill a numbered comparative page.
The Book of Talismans, Amulets and Zodiacal Gems

Numbered figures and portable objects fill a comparative plate captioned Etruscan, Greek, Roman, and Oriental Talismans. — William Thomas Pavitt (signed illustration)
Numbered figures and portable objects fill a comparative plate captioned Etruscan, Greek, Roman, and Oriental Talismans.
The Book of Talismans, Amulets and Zodiacal Gems

Crosses, rings, inscribed bands and small pendants share a numbered page. — William Thomas Pavitt (signed illustration)
Crosses, rings, inscribed bands and small pendants share a numbered page.
The Book of Talismans, Amulets and Zodiacal Gems

Five-pointed and six-pointed stars appear beside triangular, circular and rectangular inscribed forms. — William Thomas Pavitt (signed illustration)
Five-pointed and six-pointed stars appear beside triangular, circular and rectangular inscribed forms.
The Book of Talismans, Amulets and Zodiacal Gems

A large concentric pentacle bears Alpha et Omega at its centre beneath a heading naming the Sun and Sunday. — Illustrator not identified
A large concentric pentacle bears Alpha et Omega at its centre beneath a heading naming the Sun and Sunday.
Raphael's Ancient Manuscript of Talismanic Magic

Four circular devices occupy separate compartments beneath handwritten descriptions. — Illustrator not identified
Four circular devices occupy separate compartments beneath handwritten descriptions.
Raphael's Ancient Manuscript of Talismanic Magic

A large lettered pentacle occupies the upper half of a manuscript page headed for Mars and Tuesday. — Illustrator not identified
A large lettered pentacle occupies the upper half of a manuscript page headed for Mars and Tuesday.
Raphael's Ancient Manuscript of Talismanic Magic

A concentric pentacle is headed for Mercury and Wednesday, with Alpha et Omega written across its centre. — Illustrator not identified
A concentric pentacle is headed for Mercury and Wednesday, with Alpha et Omega written across its centre.
Raphael's Ancient Manuscript of Talismanic Magic

A large ringed pentacle for Jupiter and Thursday appears above two smaller devices. — Illustrator not identified
A large ringed pentacle for Jupiter and Thursday appears above two smaller devices.
Raphael's Ancient Manuscript of Talismanic Magic

A large pentacle headed for Venus and Friday stands above two smaller lettered circles. — Illustrator not identified
A large pentacle headed for Venus and Friday stands above two smaller lettered circles.
Raphael's Ancient Manuscript of Talismanic Magic

A large concentric pentacle headed for Saturn and Saturday fills the upper portion of a handwritten page. — Illustrator not identified
A large concentric pentacle headed for Saturn and Saturday fills the upper portion of a handwritten page.
Raphael's Ancient Manuscript of Talismanic Magic

Concentric bands of letters surround the word Schadde, while radial divisions organise the outer circular field. — Illustrator not identified
Concentric bands of letters surround the word Schadde, while radial divisions organise the outer circular field.
The Sixth and Seventh Books of Moses

A six-by-six grid of numbers appears above two contrasting linear signs. — Illustrator not identified
A six-by-six grid of numbers appears above two contrasting linear signs.
The Cave of the Oracle: The Great White Brotherhood

A nine-by-nine number grid fills the upper portion of a tall comparative diagram. — Illustrator not identified
A nine-by-nine number grid fills the upper portion of a tall comparative diagram.
The Cave of the Oracle: The Great White Brotherhood

A five-by-five number grid stands above a looping sign with circular terminals and a more angular device beside it. — Illustrator not identified
A five-by-five number grid stands above a looping sign with circular terminals and a more angular device beside it.
The Cave of the Oracle: The Great White Brotherhood

A seven-by-seven number grid fills the upper field above two small linear devices. — Illustrator not identified
A seven-by-seven number grid fills the upper field above two small linear devices.
The Cave of the Oracle: The Great White Brotherhood

Nine numbers occupy a three-by-three grid above two linear signs with small circular terminals. — Illustrator not identified
Nine numbers occupy a three-by-three grid above two linear signs with small circular terminals.
The Cave of the Oracle: The Great White Brotherhood

Three groups of number squares and line-based seals occupy the page beneath the corresponding planetary signs. — Illustrator not identified
Three groups of number squares and line-based seals occupy the page beneath the corresponding planetary signs.
The Magus; or, Celestial Intelligencer

Two rows of numbered grids sit above a row of star-filled circles, each enclosed by its own inscription band. — Illustrator not identified
Two rows of numbered grids sit above a row of star-filled circles, each enclosed by its own inscription band.
The Magus; or, Celestial Intelligencer

Rows of circular seals enclose crosses, letters and small geometric signs. — Illustrator not identified
Rows of circular seals enclose crosses, letters and small geometric signs.
The Book of Ceremonial Magic

Six circular seals contain inscriptions and small symbolic marks. — Illustrator not identified
Six circular seals contain inscriptions and small symbolic marks.
Witchcraft Magic and Alchemy

A deeply modelled face fills the upper centre above a round seal bearing a standing female figure. — Illustrator not identified
A deeply modelled face fills the upper centre above a round seal bearing a standing female figure.
The Gnostics and Their Remains, Ancient and Mediaeval

A woman with short curled hair wears a light gathered dress with flowers at the shoulder. — Photographer not identified
A woman with short curled hair wears a light gathered dress with flowers at the shoulder.
Queen Móo’s Talisman

A crested warrior carries a round shield, a long weapon and a cluster of feathered ornaments. — Augustus Le Plongeon (source photographs and drawings); F. A. Ringler & Co. (reproduction)
A crested warrior carries a round shield, a long weapon and a cluster of feathered ornaments.
Queen Móo’s Talisman

A low rectangular structure with decorated side panels rises behind a central flight of steps. — Augustus Le Plongeon (source photographs and drawings); F. A. Ringler & Co. (reproduction)
A low rectangular structure with decorated side panels rises behind a central flight of steps.
Queen Móo’s Talisman

Queen Móo’s Portrait: A Relief at Uxmal

Augustus Le Plongeon (source photographs and drawings); F. A. Ringler & Co. (reproduction)

A stylised human profile emerges from curling stone ornament on a wall.

Queen Móo’s Talisman

A narrow vertical carving combines faces, curling forms and a large projecting headpiece. — Augustus Le Plongeon (source photographs and drawings); F. A. Ringler & Co. (reproduction)
A narrow vertical carving combines faces, curling forms and a large projecting headpiece.
Queen Móo’s Talisman

A human figure rests on bent arms with knees raised and head turned towards the viewer. — Augustus Le Plongeon (source photographs and drawings); F. A. Ringler & Co. (reproduction)
A human figure rests on bent arms with knees raised and head turned towards the viewer.
Queen Móo’s Talisman

Broad steps lead to a dark doorway between carved columns and richly decorated walls. — Augustus Le Plongeon (source photographs and drawings); F. A. Ringler & Co. (reproduction)
Broad steps lead to a dark doorway between carved columns and richly decorated walls.
Queen Móo’s Talisman

A feathered human form fills a densely carved vertical panel with a large curved lower border. — Augustus Le Plongeon (source photographs and drawings); F. A. Ringler & Co. (reproduction)
A feathered human form fills a densely carved vertical panel with a large curved lower border.
Queen Móo’s Talisman

Gallery: Historical Illustrations & Book Art | Lumitheca