InfoAnda - 'Archaeologist of erotica' revives world of brothels

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

“Shrek Forever After,” Movie Collection On Blu-Ray And DVD In December | 12 October 2010
Syria marks anniversary of uprising, violence grows | | 15 March 2012
Mexico's president-elect may double security spending: aide | | 4 July 2012

US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary | 24 December 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : 'Archaeologist of erotica' revives world of brothels

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Asia Pacific World 'Archaeologist of erotica' revives world of brothels AFP - Thursday, November 5 Send IM Story Print Old erotic postcards are seen during an exhibition gathering photographies, drawings, paintings and objects on bordellos and prostitution. A show of erogenous memorabilia in Paris harks back to the years when the bordellos drew the likes of Britain's "Bertie", then Prince of Wales and soon to become King Edward VII. PARIS (AFP) - – The sign hung at 12, rue Chabanais, in the days when the building housed the most prestigious of Paris' infamous bordellos, read "Welcome to the Chabanais: The House of All Nations". With the brothels closed down 60 years ago, nowadays the skinny eight-storey building on a tiny street near the Louvre houses an employment agency and a bunch of flats. But right across the road, at number 11, a gallery is keeping its memories alive. Nicole Canet, who runs a gallery-cum-boutique of erotic pictures and historic sex toys, is holding an exhibition there on the heyday of France's legendary "maisons closes", or authorised brothels. "I love going back in time, playing detective," Canet, a 50-something former dancer, told AFP. Along with a selection of whips in rhino-horn and other suggestive bits and pieces, the show revisits the life of the brothels from 1860 to their forced closure in 1946 in some 400 old photographs, etchings and books. The Chabanais, for one, was a routine stopover for foreign dignitaries, who would be sneaked in secretly by French government officials. One of its most distinguished visitors was Britain's "Bertie", then Prince of Wales and soon to become King Edward VII. "Bertie" had his own room there, as well as a giant copper bath -- with a half-woman half-swan figurehead -- that he liked to fill with champagne before jumping in, and a so-called "love-seat", a weird contraption said to be for threesomes. Worlds apart from sordid back-rooms in cheap hotels, the high society brothels evoked in the show were luxury palaces with sumptuous decors designed to cater to any fantasy. Old photographs of Le Chabanais show the entrance hall decked out like a primitive cave in bare stone. But inside, each room and parlour came with its own plush decor, from 18th century splendour to Moorish or Japanese overtones. "The Indian room was for the Prince of Wales," Canet said. "The Chabanais was practically a national monument, it was listed as a site to see by the travel agencies." The brothels combined the lure of private pleasures with chic bars and restaurants for party-goers, attracting stars such as Humphrey Bogart, Cary Grant, Mae West and Marlene Dietrich -- whose favourite was the One Two Two, named after its address at 122 rue de Provence. Photographer Robert Doisneau shot a series of elegant bedrooms and four-posters in the "One Two Two", which offered couples a musketeers' room, an African room, a pirate's room, a chamber of mirrors, and, like most of the high-end brothels, a torture chamber. Writer Marcel Proust, whose tastes were male-inclined, joined other financiers in investing in two of the city's specialist brothels for men. The houses generally turned a good profit and some of its owners were creme de la creme society people. On the cultural front, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, who spent much of his time and drew much of his inspiration in the Paris brothels, offered Le Chabanais 16 paintings depicting male and female centaurs for the Pompeii room. Along with crops for spanking and erotic door-knockers, a large old-fashioned wooden box fitted with lenses known as a stereoscope is on show. It enabled patrons to view pictures of the girls on offer. In most houses, tokens rather than cash were used to avoid problems. With almost scientific rigour, Canet has meticulously scoured the lost world of the brothels for the show and for a book, from its lingerie, to its tokens, literature and specialist painters and photographers. "I can tell from the backdrop now which photographer took which picture, even when there is no name," she said. "And I've discovered there were probably only five men in Paris who posed for photographers specialising in men." After collecting old erotica photos and selling them at a Paris flea market stand when she gave up life as a cabaret artiste, Canet a decade ago -- "by chance", she says -- opened her gallery opposite the site of Le Chabanais. "I love going back in time, discovering the stories behind the pictures," said Canet, who has walked the city checking addresses on old documents. "It is the work of an archaeologist," she said Regretfully, the one item missing in her collection is a copy of the famed "Guide Rose", or Pink Guide, a slim pocket-size list of establishments of pleasure "in Paris, the Provinces, the Colonies". "I know two old grandfathers who have copies, but they won't sell. They're rare and people just won't part with them." Details at www.aubonheurdujour.net Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles Canadian, American writers win French literary prizes AFP - 1 hour 44 minutes ago US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary Reuters - 2 hours 8 minutes ago Founder of Catholic Opus Dei group focus of movie Reuters - 2 hours 8 minutes ago Zhang says 'Blood Simple' has shades of Chow AP - Thursday, November 5 Brad Pitt looking for new motorbike after LA crash AP - Thursday, November 5 News Search Top Stories X-ray named top achievement by British museum GM axes Opel sale, reclaims small-car jewel Chinese giant set to buy US oil assets: company Abdullah says Karzai re-election 'illegal' Fed to keep rates near zero to nurture recovery More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended French thinker Levi-Strauss dead at 100 Buffett's Berkshire to buy railway for $44 billion Fed to keep rates near zero to nurture recovery Britain breaks up RBS, Lloyds in big bang for banking UBS piles up losses, clients withdraw assets More Most Viewed » Somali centenarian weds 17-year-old Mobile phone giant Nokia sues Apple over patents More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Wednesday, 4 November 2009
Jewish settlers evict Arab east Jerusalem family
French anthropologist Levi-Strauss dead at 100
Apple, Orange drop exclusive iPhone sales: regulator
Warren Buffett's Berkshire to buy railroad
Iran warns opposition before anti-US rally
Four years in US prison for BetOnSports founder
EU hikes growth forecasts, warns on jobs
Hamas improved rocket abilities since war
Experts to hash out global data privacy rules in Spain
Gorbachev 'proud' of role in fall of Berlin Wall
First malaria vaccine 'ready in 3-5 years'
Exiled group says Iranian nuclear site needs check
Sarah Jessica Parker, Forest Whitaker, Edward Norton And Others Appointed As Members Of Obama's Committee On The Arts And Humanities
Eurozone unemployment to hit 10.7% in 2010: EU
Selena Gomez Returning To Hometown To Appear In Children's Parade
Robots primed for 'are you being served' role
Czech president becomes last EU leader to sign treaty
Best Buy plans movie download service with Sonic
Israel: Gaza rockets can reach metro Tel Aviv
Italy's crucifixes in classrooms 'violate rights'
Ian Brown Arrested For Allegedly Assaulting His Wife
EU to choose leaders after reform treaty ratified | International |
Rihanna Finally Speaks Out About The Night Chris Brown Assaulted Her
Italy, Vatican in uproar over court crucifix ruling | International |
Sony Ericsson unveils first Android phone
Monitors worried about Sudan election, freedoms | International |
Moscow could have started WW3 over Berlin Wall: Gorbachev | International |
Calif. man indicted in 4 Va. bludgeoning deaths
Phone texting reveals sensitive new metrotextual | Technology |
House GOP pens 230-page health bill draft
Correction: Attorney General Scandal story
LG Electronics investing heavily in smartphones | Technology |
BetOnSports founder gets 51 months in U.S. prison | Technology |
Merkel calls for strong deal on climate change
Fiji expels New Zealand, Australian envoys
Low cholesterol may prevent some prostate cancers
NKorea claims to expand arsenal of atomic bombs
Mayor chooses deputy chief to head LA police
Philippines frees officers cleared over coup: military
US 'indispensable' in Asia: Singapore PM
Indonesia court hears phone tapes in graft case
GOP senators absent at start of climate debate
China envoy in talks in Taiwan: official
Karzai promises reform _ but without specifics
Neighbors griped about odor at Ohio home for years
Python hunters bag 37 in Florida hunting season
Chinese official: Syphilis boom driven by economy
$1 million bail offered in Chicago terrorism case
Thais make third arrest over king's health rumors
George W. Bush throws out first pitch in Japan
Carrey's Scrooge rings in Hollywood holiday spirit
India still likes dollars despite buying gold: minister
Carrefour breaks Indonesian antitrust law: watchdog
Obama enlists Hollywood names for arts committee
Pakistani stocks end higher; rupee weakens
Dubai to appoint female muftis in 2010: report
China experiments with molecular cuisine
Kate Winslet wins damages over exercise libel
A Christmas Carol gets thrill ride movie treatment | Entertainment |
World Cup to boost South Africa tourism, organisers say
Rihanna humiliated by leaked photo after attack | Entertainment |
China regulator rejects World of Warcraft game: official
Conchords star Clement says HBO show may end | Entertainment |
Three-star chefs cook up a treat in Paris subway
Obama enlists Hollywood names for arts committee
Kate Winslet wins damages over exercise libel | Entertainment |
Car Of Slain New Mexico Nun Found In Undisclosed Location
Adam Arkin relishes new `Sons of Anarchy' role
J&J To Cut 8,200 Jobs To Save More Than $1 Billion
E! to launch Asian version of flagship news show
Chirac's memoirs show restraint on Sarkozy
Democrats Proceed With Committee Debate On Climate Bill Despite GOP Boycott
Mexico Deploys 577 Heavily Armed Police To U.S. Border Town Of Juarez, To Quell Violence
Ex Stone Roses singer held for wife assault | Entertainment |
Update: Merkel Renews U.S. Ties, Asks For Stronger Partnership Against Climate Change
A Key Healthcare Vote, Lieberman Denies Report On His Support For Public Option
Manufacturing Orders Rise For Fifth Month In Six
Philadelphia Bus, Subway Service At A Standstill As Workers Strike
Voting Underway For New York's Mayoral, 23rd Congressional Races
New Jersey, Virginia Hold Gubernatorial Elections Tuesday
Earthquake injures 270 in southern Iran
Huge fire breaks out in Saint Petersburg: reports
US-TECH Summary
Fed to keep rates near zero to nurture recovery
Czech president signs EU reform treaty
Nokia unveils 5 new low-end phone models
UN to urge credible probe of alleged Gaza war crimes
UN envoy warns Karzai of losing world support
Uproar in Italy after Euro court rejects school crucifixes
Khamenei says US 'hiding a dagger' in talks with Iran
US envoys to meet Myanmar PM
Flu pandemic closes schools | International |
PayPal courts outside developers
EU officially starts search for first president
Egypt-Israel frictions complicate US peace efforts
GM to cancel sale, keep European unit Opel
Yahoo teams with OneRiot on real-time search
Barnes & Noble sued by eReader maker Spring Design
French thinker Levi-Strauss dead at 100
Storm kills 42 in Vietnam, several missing | International |
AT&T sues Verizon Wireless over 3G ads
Honduran lawmakers put off vote on Zelaya's return | International |
U.S. delegation in Myanmar for rare talks with junta | International |
Touchscreen smartphones being snatched up in US
Cisco-EMC-VMware alliance in 350-bln-dollar market
US company offers Twitter-dedicated mobile device
Warren Buffett's Berkshire to buy railroad
LG Electronics investing heavily in smartphones
Nokia unveils 5 new low-end phone models
LG Electronics investing heavily in smartphones
Pacific diplomatic row deepens
Yahoo teams with OneRiot on real-time search | Technology |
Dutch rafter killed in accident in Nepal
AT&T sues Verizon Wireless over 3G ads | Technology |
Tokyo train stations use lights to stem suicides
Iran 'must choose' its future path: Obama
Nokia unveils 5 new low-end phone models | Technology |
Obama notes anniversary of Iran embassy takeover
China sex-expert to help Taiwan pandas to breed
US Republicans score big in off-year elections
Today in History
Ten bodies found at rapist's Ohio home: report
Barnes & Noble sued by eReader maker Spring Design | Technology |
Mobile phones ring death knell for Bangladesh postmen
Italian judge to reach verdict in CIA kidnap trial
Police: 3 ND college students found dead in pond
Obama faces setback after Republicans win
Vietnam storm death toll rises to 57
CA teen charged with murder in death of 4-year-old
China's military making strides in space: US general
Voters in NC's largest city elect Democratic mayor
India's pot-bellied males hit gym for Bollywood buff look
World Bank boosts China growth forecast to 8.4 pct
Disney says China approved Shanghai theme park
SKorea's SK Engineering wins UAE oil contract
China OKs Disney theme park in Shanghai: official
Korea Hot Stocks
China agrees Disney theme park in Shanghai: Disney
S.Korean bonds edge down as Fed rate vote looms
Seoul shares rebound: KEB, brokerage stocks rally
Seoul shares gain; banks up after strong Q3 results
S.Korea mortgage lending growth slows in Oct-report
Hollywood stars light up London for Christmas
Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin to host Oscars | Entertainment |
Stephen Colbert, fans sponsor U.S. speedskaters | Entertainment |
Kirstie Alley takes weight-loss battle back to TV | Entertainment |
Berenstain Bears to make big-screen debut | Entertainment |
Jaglom's homage to theater has wide appeal | Entertainment |
Accused Seacrest stalker ordered to stay away | Entertainment |
50 Cent recruits Kelly Rowland for video | Entertainment |
Berenstain Bears to make big-screen debut
Box office boost shows 3D is here to stay
Rihanna: Brown's assault, aftermath 'humiliating'
Sarah Palin promises more cities on book tour
Kirstie Alley takes weight-loss battle back to TV
Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin to host Oscars
Stephen Colbert, fans sponsor U.S. speedskaters
"Looking for Palladin" suffers from major flaw
Hollywood stars light up London for Christmas
Terminator movie franchise may go on auction block
German Court Denies Buddhist Bank Robber's Request To Visit With Cat
Newly Discovered Notes May Contain Secret 150-Year-Old Worcestershire Sauce Recipe
Prison Ombudsman Pushes For More Humane Treatment Of Canadian Inmates Without Compromising Security
Queen Elizabeth's Servant Crowned British Wrestling Champ
Mariah Carey Says Even Her Dogs Have An Entourage, But She's No Diva
Survey Finds Bad Behavior Is Pervasive Among Medical Personnel
BetOnSports founder gets 51 months in U.S. prison
Phone texting reveals sensitive new "metrotextual"
'Rogue' Afghan policeman kills five British troops
British mercenary leaves E.Guinea
Mousavi supporters clash with police in Tehran | International |
Chinese giant set to buy US oil assets: company
Afghan policeman kills five British soldiers | International |
Police to quiz mercenary over EGuinea plot: reports
Yemen rebels say they seize Saudi border site
Witness: The news conference that toppled the Wall | International |
Microsoft to set up cloud research center in Taiwan
Five British soldiers killed in Afghanistan
Abdullah rules out joining new Afghan government | International |
Playfish sees social games as industry driver
Israeli navy intercepts arms ship: military | International |
Abdullah slams 'illegal' Karzai re-election
Pakistan troops, Taliban fight street battle: army | International |
Yemen rebels kill Saudi in cross-border raid | International |
Sri Lanka's top general leaves U.S. unquestioned | International |
Quake hits south Iran, 269 injured
Quake hits south Iran, injuring 269 people: agency | International |
Clashes with police in Tehran on anniversary
Tight security in Iran ahead of anti-U.S. rally
5 British soldiers killed in south Afghanistan
Search ends for Russians buried in China avalanche
US officials meet Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi
Malaysia's opposition alliance puts house in order
Vietnam storm death toll rises to 87
Prominent SKorean businessman commits suicide: police
US officials meet with Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar
Nepal puts security forces on high alert
Playfish sees social games as industry driver | Technology |
Microsoft to set up cloud research center in Taiwan | Technology |
San Francisco voters defeat sign district plan
Angry Philippines rebels deny abducting Irish priest
AP NewsAlert
China bureaucratic war over online Warcraft heats up | Technology |
NM calf fitted with prosthetic legs
Farmland released from conservation program
3 million acres taken out of conservation program
Dejection fills Maine ballroom after marriage vote
Obama coaxes states to change with school dollars
Nissan returns to profit in latest quarter
Microsoft to set up cloud research centre in Taiwan
Toyota joins F1 exodus
Nissan Motor interim net profit down 92.9 pct
S.Korea 2010 house prices seen up 4 pct -research
Yamaha Motor posts 1.8 bln dollar nine-month loss
MARKETS-KOREA-STOCKS/ (UPDATE 2)=2
World Bank boosts China 2009 growth forecast
Brad Pitt looking for new motorbike after LA crash
'Archaeologist of erotica' revives world of brothels
Russian leech grower taps into rising demand
Disney says China approved Shanghai theme park
London's Savile Row tailors roll up sleeves for battle
Founder of Catholic Opus Dei group focus of movie | Entertainment |
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01