In the XVII and XVIII th century ,the ottoman empire fascinates Europe .
Turquie is synonymous with sophistication of THE BIG TURK , of the splendour of the Costume , of the Mystery of the Harem ,of the exoticism of the Food .
It is the time of the " Turqueries" that will go on in the XIX th century through the stories of the " Romantiques " travelers (Lamartine and Loti).
The Harem is one of this turquerie , even if it is more like a western fantasy, harem is love à la turca
The harem was not a jail for lustful women , it was a Women 's school .Every woman received education in the subject in which she showed more ability : calligraphy , decorative arts , music , foreign languagues .
These courtesans were not isolated from the social and politic life.
a room in topkapi , Istanbul
This kind of love a la turca sounds so exotic.
I can imagine the women studying and then laying down on ottoman sofa , drinking çay ( tea).
MY harem would be like that ...and it will be full of ...
my P.frey 's harem
my study room in my "harem"
Photos : Pierre Frey 's ambiance , fabrics available in my show room , for information contact me
