Broomsticks Collection

The Modern Witch
A reckless looking witch in a 1920s flapper dress cackles to herself as she rides her broomstick. Date: 1920s

North Berwick Witches and Dr Fian in a churchyard
The North Berwick Witches and Dr Fian fly round a church, some on broomsticks, as confessed to King James

German Mountain Railway
This steam train carries tourists up the Brocken, in the Harz mountains, once the haunt of witches (but they had to rely on their broomsticks to take them to the summit)

Lightning Struck a Flock of Witches, mid-late 19th century

Witchcraft - Flying
A countrywoman is amazed to see two witches - one male, one female - flying past escorted by the Devil who, it seems, also needs a broomstick Date: circa 1600

Preparing for Sabbat
The master of the house investigates noises in his wine-cellar, finds his domestic staff taking the evening off on their broomsticks

Scottish traveller John o' Arnha fighting a Kelpy or monster, 1826 (engraving)
5912515 Scottish traveller John o' Arnha fighting a Kelpy or monster, 1826 (engraving); (add.info.: Scottish traveller John o' Arnha fighting a Kelpy or monster with a cudgel)

Dorpsstraat, 1832-1880. Creator: Jan Weissenbruch
Dorpsstraat, 1832-1880. Village street

Curling Match between the Earl of Mansfield and the Earl of Eglington, on Airthrie Loch, 1850. Creator: Unknown
Curling Match between the Earl of Mansfield and the Earl of Eglington, on Airthrie Loch, 1850. The north party scored three the first lead; and having thus taken the lead

Snow-Sweepers - drawn by Foster, 1850. Creator: Edmund Evans
Snow-Sweepers - drawn by Foster, 1850. Illustration to a story by Thomas Miller. "Clear your snow away, marm? do it for a penny

The Vision of Faust, 1878 (oil on canvas)
NUL386947 The Vision of Faust, 1878 (oil on canvas) by Falero, Luis Riccardo (1851-96); 145.4x117.5 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Scene from Faust by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832)

The Witchs Frolic by Alfred Bestall
The witchs frolic, taking place on Hallowe en, the date when Saman, Lord of Death, called together the spirits of all the wicked dead who in the last twelve months had been condemned to inhabit

Illustration of Der Zauberlehrling, from Goethes Werke, 1882 (wood engraving)
5914891 Illustration of Der Zauberlehrling, from Goethes Werke, 1882 (wood engraving) by Barth, Ferdinand (1842-92); Private Collection

House cleaning in preparation for the New Year, Japan, c. 1797 / 99
House cleaning in preparation for the New Year, Japan, c. 1797/99

House cleaning in preparation for the New Year, Japan, late 1790s

The Witches Sabbath (litho)
5207883 The Witches Sabbath (litho) by Benlliure y Gil, Jose (1855-1937); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Witches Sabbath)

Closeup view of three brooms, presumably made by the men of the Bourne memorial Building
MNY380965 Closeup view of three brooms, presumably made by the men of the Bourne memorial Building, New York, 1926 (silver gelatin print) by Byron Company (fl.1890-1942)

Blind man fastening straw on broom handles at the Bourne Memorial Building, New York
MNY380962 Blind man fastening straw on broom handles at the Bourne Memorial Building, New York, 1921 (silver gelatin print) by Byron Company (fl.1890-1942)

Witches flying on broomsticks (chromolitho)
3100708 Witches flying on broomsticks (chromolitho) by Spanish School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Witches flying on broomsticks)

Scottish traveller John o Arnha encounters a witch
Scottish traveller John o Arnha with cudgel encounters a witch flying on a broomstick. Sae fently did she wing her flight, In a twinklin she was out o sight

Jumping over the Broomstick - Measter be Yorkshire too, 1830 (coloured engraving)
2563397 Jumping over the Broomstick - Measter be Yorkshire too, 1830 (coloured engraving) by Heath, William (1795-1840); Free Library of Philadelphia; (add.info.: Henry Peter Brougham)

The History of Mother Shipton, illustration from Chap-books of the Eighteenth
489607 The History of Mother Shipton, illustration from Chap-books of the Eighteenth Century by John Ashton, pub. 1882 (litho) by English School

Halloween Witch and Black Cat Riding Broom at Night, 1908 (colour litho)
2630017 Halloween Witch and Black Cat Riding Broom at Night, 1908 (colour litho) by American School, (20th century); Private Collection; Photo eGraphicaArtis; American, out of copyright

A masquerade reminiscent of a legend, in Germany (colour litho)
2777710 A masquerade reminiscent of a legend, in Germany (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: A masquerade reminiscent of a legend, in Germany)

Blind man labeling brooms at the Bourne Memorial Building, New York
MNY380964 Blind man labeling brooms at the Bourne Memorial Building, New York, 1935 (silver gelatin print) by Byron Company (fl.1890-1942); 20.3x25.4 cm; Museum of the City of New York

Blind man placing iron hoops on brooms at the Bourne Memorial Building, New York
MNY380963 Blind man placing iron hoops on brooms at the Bourne Memorial Building, New York, 1921 (silver gelatin print) by Byron Company (fl.1890-1942); 27.9x35.6 cm; Museum of the City of New York

There was an old woman tossed up in a basket (colour litho)
960979 There was an old woman tossed up in a basket (colour litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: There was an old woman tossed up in a basket)

Sweepers, 1888. Creator: Theophile Alexandre Steinlen
Sweepers, 1888

Blind Broomseller, (14th Street, New York City), ca. 1860. Creator: Unknown
Blind Broomseller, (14th Street, New York City), ca. 1860

Joseph Anton Kock (1819-1839) German painter. Macbeth and the Witches (1835). The witches flying through the sky riding goats and broomsticks are holding up the crown which Macbeth coverts

Witches over Town
Witches on their broomsticks fly over the roofs of their town

Witches on Broomsticks
HEXENRITT - German witches fly to the sabbat mounted on broomsticks

Witches riding broomsticks on six Victorian scraps. Date: circa 1890s

LE SABBAT
Witches dine with the devil, dance round the gallows, ride goats and broomsticks to the sabbat

Witchcraft, 18th century
Witchcraft. 18th-century artwork depicting a witch mixing potions by candlelight at lower left, and witches on broomsticks departing up a chimney in the background at right as another witch incants a

Flight of Witches
a flight of witches - some on broomsticks, others riding their familiars

Depart for Sabbat
Witches prepare the magic potion which will enable them to ride their broomsticks to the Sabbat

Witchcraft / Sabbat
Witches dance to a skeletons drumming, while others arrive on broomsticks

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"Broomsticks: A Fascinating Journey Through Witchcraft and Folklore" Embark on a captivating journey through the intriguing world of broomsticks, where history intertwines with myth and magic. From the infamous North Berwick Witches to Dr Fian's chilling encounter in a churchyard, these enchanted objects have left an indelible mark on our collective imagination. In "The Modern Witch, " we witness how broomsticks became synonymous with witchcraft, symbolizing both fear and empowerment. The German Mountain Railway takes us to new heights as we explore the belief that witches used brooms to soar through the night sky. But it was not all fantastical tales – lightning striking a flock of witches in the mid-late 19th century reminds us of society's darker side. Yet, throughout history, flying has been associated with witchcraft; their broomsticks serving as vessels for otherworldly journeys. As we delve into preparations for Sabbat rituals, we uncover ancient traditions passed down from generation to generation. The Vision of Faust depicts another facet of this mystical tool – its role in summoning spirits and unlocking forbidden knowledge. From Alfred Bestall's whimsical illustration in "The Witch's Frolic" to Der Zauberlehrling captured in Goethe's Werke wood engraving, art immortalizes the enchantment surrounding these humble household items. Even beyond Europe’s borders lies evidence of similar practices - house cleaning in preparation for the New Year observed by Japanese culture since late 1790s echoes themes found worldwide, and is here that broomsticks become symbols of renewal and purification rather than sorcery alone. Finally, "The Witches Sabbath" lithograph transports us into a nocturnal gathering where magic reigns supreme. Broomsticks serve as both transportation devices and emblems connecting individuals across time and space within this clandestine realm. So let your imagination take flight as you unravel centuries-old tales woven around broomsticks.