Storyville

The Storyville District, two blocks from the French Quarter in New Orleans, was set up to limit prostitution to one area of town where authorities could monitor and regulate the practice. In the late 1890s, the New Orleans city government studied the legalized red light districts of northern German and Dutch ports and set up Storyville based on such models. Between 1895 and 1915, “blue books” were published in Storyville. These books were guides to prostitution for visitors to the district’s services including house descriptions, prices, particular services and the “stock” each house had to offer. The Storyville blue-books were inscribed with the motto: “Order of the Garter: Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense (Shame to Him Who Evil Thinks).”

Establishments in Storyville ranged from cheap “cribs” to more expensive houses, and finally to a row of elegant mansions along Basin Street for well-heeled customers. New Orleans’ cribs were 50-cent joints, whereas the more expensive establishments could cost up to $10. Black and white brothels coexisted in Storyville; however, black men were barred from legally purchasing services rendered in either black or white brothels. Nonetheless, brothels with black prostitutes serving blacks openly flourished with the full knowledge of the police and other local authorities a short distance uptown from Storyville proper.

Mixed media necklace features truly amazing clay focal heart and a romaticly baroque mix of beads, chain, fiber, shell, a vintage bisque doll arm and rusted Storyville key. One of a kind art for wearing.