The ethereal, the fantastical, the religious, and the beautiful

Fantasy

An alchemical diagram from <n>Elias Ashmole</n>'s 1652 book, <n>Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum</n>.

The bedroom of <n>Palazzo Brandolini</n> in Venice, designed by <n>Tony Duquette</n> and <n>Hutton Wilkinson</n>. Photo by <n>Tim Street-Porter</n>.

A fawn rests at the base of a tree in <n>Nara Park</n>, Japan.

A <n>'Padlock' Handbag</n> designed by <n>Elsa Schiaparelli</n> in the 1940s.

<n>Edward Henry Corbould</n>'s "<n>At Eglinton, Lord of the Tournament</n>" (1840). Photo by <n>Bridgeman Images</n>.

Woodcut by <n>Maître à la Cassotte</n> from <n>Guillaume de La Perriere</n>'s "Le theatre des bons engins" (1544).

A look from the <n>Alexander McQueen</n> Autumn/Winter 2014 collection, presented at Paris Fashion Week.

Late 16th-century <n>Parade Mace</n> from the armory of the <n>Doge's Palace</n> in Venice.

A painting from the <n>Chochungdo</n> series by Korean artist <n>Shin Saimdang</n> (1504-1551).

<n>Byzantine Rock Crystal Phial with Gold Fittings</n>, 12th-14th Century.

Performer <n>Liliane Gilbert</n> in <n>Julian Wylie</n>'s revue <n>Round in Fifty</n>, 1922.

French <n>holy card</n> (canivet) depicting the <n>Crowning of the Virgin</n>, printed by <n>Dopter</n> in Paris.

Detail of a 17th century <n>lace border</n> from Brussels, Belgium.

<n>Jan Davidsz. de Heem</n>'s "Still life of flowers in a glass vase with insects," c. 1660.

<n>Art Nouveau</n> sterling silver repoussé hand mirror, c.1904, by maker <n>Henry Matthews</n>.

<n>A reverie during the ball</n> (1879) by Spanish painter <n>Rogelio de Egusquiza</n>.

Cover of <n>A History of British Butterflies</n> by <n>F.O. Morris</n> and <n>A.H. Clark</n>.

<n>Poppies</n> (c. 1864), an albumen print by photographer <n>Charles Hippolyte Aubry</n>.

A 17th century Italian <n>Chalice Cover</n>.

<n>Vestal Virgin Before a Burning Altar</n> by artist <n>Jean-François Sablet</n>.

An illustration of Sol, the personified sun, by <n>Wilhelm Dilich</n> for the 1596 <n>Christening of Lady Elisabeth of Hesse</n>.

Peruvian singer <n>Yma Sumac</n> in an elaborate <n>Incan-inspired</n> embroidered cape.