Enter the awesomely-named Fucking Sculptures (whose taglines are some of the best I’ve ever come across (pun intended): “As unique as you are. Hand-sculpted, fine fucking art” and “Where sex meets art, then fucks itself”) and their stunning soda-lime glass creations.

Scratch science lesson. Soda-lime glass, sometimes called soda-lime-silica glass, is the stuff used to make drinking glasses, bottles, jars and the like – and, generally-speaking, you don’t see many sex toys constructed of it. Why? I’m not 100% sure because it can be coloured and blown into some absolutely amazing dildos, but I suspect that manufactures shy away from it due to its greater sensitivity to heat than its aforementioned borosilicate sibling. That said, it can still be very easily and safely heated and cooled, just not rapidly or suddenly. Per the Fucking Sculptures website:

Soda-Lime glass is the most common form of glass produced.  It has all of the wonderful properties listed above. However, it does not like to be plunged into boiling water.

Temperature play is a lot of fun, but I suspect – hope!? – that there won’t be many of you wanting to stick a dildo that’s hotter than the surface of the sun in one of your orifices.

So, on to the G-Spoon itself.

My first thought when this arrived in the post?

Holy crap that’s big! C.f. the following cucumber versus dildo size comparison:

Now, I knew when I ordered this beauty that it was going to be on the large side (the G-Spoon does also come in Small and Medium) but seeing the dimensions online versus holding them in your hand is quite a bit different. Weighing in at 554 grams and with a girth and length of 14 and 23 centimetres respectively, this dildo is substantial. And I’d be flat-out lying if I didn’t admit to thinking it might be a case of eyes bigger than vagina. Thankfully, though, that didn’t turn out to be true.

While there’s not getting around the fact that this is a hefty sex toy it’s exceptionally well shaped – almost dish-like in its curvature – and it fits the body extremely well. Personally, I found that gradual introduction, a decent amount of lube and gentle use was all that was needed to overcome my initial size-fright. And for someone who likes girth and having their G-Spot stimulated, as I do, it felt bloody fantastic. The size and smaller hooked end also meant it was easy for M to hold and angle (he was in the driver’s seat first time out), so it’s a really good choice for those who want to include a partner in their play.

This dildo, as all the Fucking Sculptures  dildos are, is handblown (see the clip below), which means it’s entirely unique; while the standard designs and sizes don’t change, no created piece is ever absolutely identical. I like that. It means that my G-Spoon is unique to me. Not only that, it’s beautiful. Really beautiful. The soda-lime glass has an amazing sparkle to it when it catches the light and the green I selected is fathomless and deep, the colour of a dense, rich forest. It’s extremely easy to clean as all non-porous glass toys are (mild soap and warm water are all that’s required) and for the times you’re not sticking it interesting places, Fucking Sculptures  give you a soft, cosy pouch to store it in.

Price? There’s no getting around the fact that at USD$160.00 for the large version, the G-Spoon’s not exactly cheap. However, this isn’t some mass produced sex-toy made from terrible-for-you materials. It’s a functional – and very pleasurable – work of art. Well worth the money, in my opinion. And Fucking Sculptures offer a ‘one free replacement policy’, too.

A quick note on ordering and delivery … can I just say that Maria is a gem? I placed my order online (if you’re outside of the U.S. you’ll need to email Fucking Sculptures directly, as I did, to purchase your dildo) just after moving hemispheres and had all sorts of fun and games with PayPal due to it not liking me living in a different country to my bank. She was uber-patient as I tried to sort the glitch out and was very good about keeping me up-to-date as to the progress of my order.

In conclusion, the G-Spoon’s a gorgeous sex toy that wouldn’t look at all out-of-place on a shelf or mantelpiece. It really is a work of art and fucking, fucking good fun.

Highly, highly recommended.

Tickle your fancy? Click here to find out more about Fucking Sculptures and view their amazing range of beautiful hand-blown dildos.

The post Review: Fucking Sculptures G-Spoon (Large) appeared first on Behind the Chintz Curtain.

How timely this Kink of the Week topic is; I have literally (as in the last 24 hours) hit the ‘pay now’ button and invested a chunk of change in a new phallic monolith for the old Jane and M toy box. No batteries, no cords, no plastic – just a lovely hunk of made-to-order glass that I’m hoping will get me off like no-one’s business. I want an orgasm. And I want a good one.

At this point, I’m going to say something controversial. Well, not controversial exactly but, possibly, a little surprising because I really haven’t seen that many other women make the statement I’m about to:

Phallic-style vibrators don’t, as a general rule, get me off.

Not without a lot of fiddling about, anyway.

From a stimulation point-of-view, the internal vibrations do a whole lot of nothing to my lady parts (am I the only one whose vagina pretty much yawns in boredom at these?) and while the rabbit ears – if the vibrator in question happens to have them – do generally feel good against my clitoris, they never seem to hit quite the right place with any sort of consistency. M’s fingers are far easier to position, far more flexible, and far more likely to get me where I need to go. They don’t need recharging, either.

Which brings me to dildos.

I was late to the dildo party, seduced in my youthful exuberance by the idea of vibrations equalling orgasmic heaven: why would I want to choose a plain old phallus over one that vibrates like an Airbus during take-off and churns little beads around like a cement mixer full of marbles? Surely the more features the better? Give me the bells and whistles! Stick as many things on that hot rod as possible!

Image: L’Academie des Dames… Aloïsia, Nicolas Chorier

Yeah, turns out all those extras, for me personally, were highly un-necessary. In short, I have come to realise that, internally, all my body really cares about is size, shape, and material.

My first dildo purchases were probably not the best (rubbery numbers that smelled awful and, in hindsight, were likely choc-full of phthalates). However, the fact that they were, respectively, both bigger and smaller than a standard vibrator made them stand out because they could do things their vibrating siblings weren’t really able to: the larger-sized dildo created more satisfying friction internally due to its girth; the smaller, thinner one could be inserted into tighter places. Eventually, however, as I became more educated about phthalates, I threw them both out and went in search of body-safe alternatives.

And this was when I discovered the joys of the glass dildo.

The glass phallus has pretty much become my internal sex toy of choice. Why? First and foremost, because it has a firmness to it that the softer, plasticised versions just don’t. In turn, this means that it can be angled and rubbed against the G-Spot extremely effectively and, if I’m lucky, prompt a squirting orgasm. (When all’s said and done, that’s the kind of climax I put on a pedestal because they’re nearly always more intense than one triggered by clitoral stimulation.) I’ve also found that glass tends to lend itself to more extreme angling design-wise and that the hooked, curved dildos that can be produced from it as a result are perfect for targeting that little sponge of internal nerve endings. Best of all, glass isn’t going to leach all sorts of chemical nasties into your body. It’s easy to clean, too.

Image: Erotische Darstellung, Franz von Bayros 

I’ve not yet tried a stainless steel dildo (although one of those is on my wish list) but have heard that many others rate them, particularly the njoy Pure Wand, for the same reasons: it’s firm, angled, body-safe, and non-porous. (This particular design comes up again and again on Toy with Me Tuesday and looking at various other online reviews, it seems some people are ready to marry the thing!)

So (after all that rambling), I hereby declare myself a card-carrying member of Camp Dildo. I like it here. There’s no fast, or slow or pulse setting, but it’s satisfying. Blissfully so.

The post Kink of the Week: Camp Dildo appeared first on Behind the Chintz Curtain.

What we used: Pipedream Icicles No.1 Dildo
From:  Adult Sensations
Price: From $29.96
Material(s): Pyrex glass
Reviewer: Lizzie

A few weeks ago Adult Sensations, who have e-stores that serve both Canada and the U.S. (North American Chintz visitors, take note!), were kind enough to send the very stylish Icicles No. 1 dildo to us for review. This is the first toy we’ve reviewed in the Icicles range – there are 42 different designs, last we counted – and the No. 1 is the initial design in the series.

First thoughts …

Lizzie
Glass is fast becoming one of my favourite sex toy materials. It’s easy to clean, can be cooled or heated, and has a firmness to it that I find really, really pleasing during use (more on the later). Needless to say, I was really looking forward to trying the Icicles No. 1 out.

I don’t normally buy ‘straight’ dildos – generally I opt for ones with a curve so that I (or Thomas) can better target my G-Spot. As such, the No. 1 was a bit of a departure from the path most trodden. I also tend to be a bit sceptical of ridged toys, often finding that the various bumps and protrusions don’t really add that much to the experience once they’re inside me. Would the spiralled ridge, which runs the length of the No. 1’s insertable shaft (which is roughly 7 inches long) be any different because of its glass construction?

The packaging …

Lizzie
Very inoffensive and gender-neutral; I would be equally happy giving or receiving this dildo as a gift. The box features a black-and-white colour scheme with some nice, clear pictures of the Icicles No. 1 dildo inside it and has a ‘door-like’ side that can be opened to reveal the toy without breaking into the box itself. The actual dildo is cushioned within a thick block of Styrofoam to prevent breakage during transport and delivery.

One thing that I would have liked to have seen? A storage pouch for the dildo. The box is really too unwieldy to store it in permanently and having something to house the dildo post-receipt would’ve been very handy.

How it looks …

Lizzie
The Icicles No. 1 is really pretty, and looks more like an ornament than a sex toy. (It sort of reminded me of an oversized cocktail mixing stick!)

It’s made from clear Pyrex glass, has a ridge that twists around the insertable length, and a ball-shaped base to help you grip it during use.

In use …

Lizzie
After giving the Icicles No. 1 dildo a good clean with antibacterial soap and toy cleaner, I ran it under the hot tap for a short time in order to warm up the glass. (As mentioned earlier, I think the ability to change this toy’s temperature is a significant plus because it allows you to ‘tweak’ it to suit your mood.) It held the warmth of the water really nicely and this meant that it was very pleasant to insert. No leaping about from the shock of something cold.

Lube-wise, I found I put a bit too much on the toy to start with – I generally subscribe to the ‘more is better’ philosophy, which works fine with glass toys that have ring handles but not so much with those that are more streamlined – and made the dildo overly slippery, but the ball base was relatively easy to grip, despite the overly liberal application. (Tip: try and keep one hand, preferably your ‘operating’ hand, clean of lube so that you can maintain a good, firm hold on the toy.)

Because the dildo is a pretty decent length and made of a rigid material, I went relatively slowly insertion-wise, giving myself time to become accustomed to it. To start with, I kept my movements quite gentle but as I became more and more aroused, I was able to use it with more force. Although it wasn’t curved and couldn’t really be angled to comfortably hit the G-Spot, the firmness of the glass made it easy for me to get the friction I needed to generate some lovely sensations internally.

Using the Icicles No. 1 solo was great fun but, as I generally find it quite difficult to climax without clitoral or G-Spot stimulation, I ended up lying on my stomach and handing control over to Thomas so that I could concentrate on touching my clitoris. He had no trouble gripping or controlling the No. 1 – the ball-shaped base fit easily in his palm – but I did have to ask him to go easier than I would have with a silicone or plastic toy. Result? A very nice, blissful orgasm.

And the ridges? Even though the Icicles No. 1 is relatively slim (it’s 1.4 inches wide) I could definitely feel the external glass spiral on it, particularly around the entrance of the vagina –  yay! To borrow a line from Wayne’s World, it really was ribbed for my pleasure!

Any downsides?

Lizzie
The straight shape and rigid construction mean you do have to go a little easy to begin with and take your time finding the best angle; if the dildo presses too hard against the pubic bone or is shoved too deep, too soon, it can be uncomfortable.

In an ideal world it would have liked it to come with a storage pouch, but that’s a small quibble.

The verdict?

Lizzie
The Icicles No. 1 dildo is a lovely, smart-looking toy that’s well made and a pleasure to use. Its slim shape means that it could be used vaginally or anally and the spiral ridge actually seemed to do something, particularly around the entrance to the vagina. I couldn’t really stimulate my G-Spot with it, but found it satisfying all the same. A nice toy to use with a partner, particularly as part of foreplay.

In summary

Things I liked:

• It’s aesthetically pleasing. A very pretty dildo.
• The construction. Because it’s made of Pyrex, it’s easy to clean, dishwasher safe, can be used in the bath, heated or cooled.
• It’s slim enough to use anally.
• The ridges really do create some friction, particularly around the vaginal entrance – they’re not just window dressing.
• The rigidity. Glass doesn’t give, so you’ve got something decent to press and rub against.
• Can be used with silicone, oil, and water-based lubes.
• Safe for those with latex allergies.

Things I wasn’t so keen on:

• The lack of storage pouch.
• Can be uncomfortable if used too vigorously, too quickly.

Tickle your fancy? You can buy the Pipedream Icicles No.1 Dildo by clicking on the following links:

• Pipedream Icicles No. 1 Dildo – Adult Sensations Canada
• Pipedream Icicles No. 1 Dildo – Adult Sensations U.S.A.

*Please note that this item was provided free of charge by Adult Sensations in exchange for a fair review.

The post Love in a cold climate: Pipedream Icicles No.1 Dildo appeared first on Behind the Chintz Curtain.

Going for the obvious with this week’s Toy with me Tuesday.

Snow … An Icicles No. 1 Dildo … Half a tub of glitter … (The sparkly stuff is a bloody nightmare to clean up, by the way; it washed off the dildo fine, but now seems to be stuck to every other surface in the house.)

My OH actually chose this shot from a bunch I took because I couldn’t decide which one to go for – hope you all like his selection!

Who else is playing Toy with me Tuesday? Click here to find out.

The post Toy with me Tuesday: No. 1 appeared first on Behind the Chintz Curtain.

You might recall that I recently had a failed ‘fake frost’ Toy with me Tuesday experiment. Well, last weekend it was finally cold enough for Lizzie and I to take the shot I wanted with the Spartacus Smooth G-Spot Glass Dildo she and Thomas reviewed a few weeks ago.

This shot is, in part, an homage to putting glass toys in the freezer (always a good surprise) but also a nod to our first ever five-minute erotica post, Frostbite.

Want to find out who else is playing Toy with me Tuesday? Click here.

The post Toy with me Tuesday: Deep Freeze appeared first on Behind the Chintz Curtain.

We’re taking a bit of a break this week, so there won’t be any new posts until Monday 12 November. If you’re new to Behind the Chintz Curtain and want to know what we’re all about (or you haven’t stopped by in a while), here’s a selection of last month’s most popular posts:

TOYS

• C is for clitoris, C is for clip
• Christian Grey’s playthings, part three: pleasure beads
• Squeeze. Tease. The agony and ecstasy of nipple clamps
• The Wartenberg pinwheel: the sharp edge of sensation play
• Toy with me Tuesday: Autumn berries
• This story is about a little vibrator. Her name is Gigi
• Toy with me Tuesday: Surprise!
• A touch of glass: the Spartacus Smooth G-Spot Dildo

EROTIC BOOKS & STORIES

• Yes, Sir (Erotic Stories of Female Submission) - Rachel Kramer Bussel
• Uncle Charles’ Girls – Anne Randolph
• Seduced in the Dark - C.J. Roberts

I hope you find something you like!

Jane
x

The post Hiatus appeared first on Behind the Chintz Curtain.

Soft Core: Why Do Sex Toy Makers Have Such Horrible Videos?
Source: http://techcrunch.com/

If you’re having a bad day, I guarantee this link will cheer you up. The title of Jordan Crook’s article is pretty self-explanatory; YouTube promo videos from various sex toy manufacturers looked over with a blunt, comedic eye.

From Vibease’s Personal Massager (for God’s sake, call it what it is, people – a vibrator!) that runs off your Android phone, to the JimmyJane Form 6 (which is waved around like a mime prop by a pair of creepy white gloves), this Tech Crunch offering made my morning. And for all those fans of air guitar, get ready to rock out with OhMiBod’s one-woman vibrator rock-concert.

On a slightly more serious note, this article touches on the growing number of Bluetooth enabled sex toys. I’ve got my eye on this trend …

Doctors Remove Sex Toy From Man’s Intestines That Had Been There for Days
Source: http://www.medicaldaily.com

In the unlikely event that you get a nine-inch dildo lodged in your bat cave, can I recommend that you go to the doctor IMMEDIATELY and not FIVE DAYS AFTER THE EVENT!

This article about a thirty-year-old Chinese man really did make my eyes water. Getting a sex toy stuck in your intestine is no laughing matter and, in this case, the consequences could have been very serious for this poor bloke:

‘ … doctors found that the sex toy had caused intestinal blockage and damaged some tissue.

“If we did not remove the dildo in time, the man could have gone into critical condition,” Dr. Yao Liqing, from the Zhongshan Hospital, said to Shanghai Daily.’

Ouch. Just … ouch.

Avon Is Experimenting With DRM-Free eBooks
Source: http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/

Now this is interesting. Romance publisher Avon is experimenting with DRM (digital rights management). In addition to launching a Facebook App that will allow readers to read and share excerpts from up-coming books, select titles are to be offered to consumers free of DRM. Are we starting to see the effects of J.K. Rowling’s ground-breaking move from earlier this year, in which she launched the Harry Potter ePubs free of DRM?

I’m a big fan of removing losing this Big Brother technology as it’s a real pain in the backside for those who have legitimately purchased eBooks. Fingers crossed, Avon’s move signals a change in stance from the major publishers.

Interested in Avon’s Facebook App? You can find out more about it here.

The post Alert Me: hilarious sex toy adverts, a big dil-don’t, and Avon’s DRM experiment appeared first on Behind the Chintz Curtain.

I thought I’d have a bit of fun with this week’s Toy with me Tuesday. (Hopefully LEGO don’t sue me.)

This shot is a bit of an homage to Thomas and Lizzie’s post of yesterday, in which they talked about the accidental purchase of a birthday dildo that ‘resembled John Holmes on steroids’ (Thomas’ words, not mine!). And we’ve all been there; bought a sex toy online, got it out of the box and thought ‘did I really order that?’.

NB: if you click on the photo you’ll be able to see the expressions on their little LEGO faces a bit better.

Who else is playing Toy with me Tuesday? Click here or on the link below to find out!

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What we used: Smooth G-Spot Glass Dildo with finger loop
From: Spartacus
Price: From £29.99
Material(s): lead free borosilicate glass

Dildos don’t vibrate, but they do have their charms … Lizzie and Thomas play with the Smooth G-Spot Glass Dildo from Spartacus.

First thoughts …

Lizzie
A couple of months ago, Thomas and I had a major toy box clean out. We threw out a load of stuff – things that we’d bought and didn’t like, mostly, but also some toys that we’d enjoyed and thought were past their use-by date. Amongst them, a monstrously large dildo that Thomas purchased for me as a birthday present. It was an awful, flesh-coloured thing that was eye-wateringly large (he didn’t check the size properly before ordering it – or so he told me) and smelled strongly of latex. So strongly, in fact, you could smell it halfway across the room if the lid on our toy box wasn’t shut properly. Still, we had quite a bit of fun with it before it was eventually consigned to the dustbin, although I can’t say it really sold me on dildos generally; vibrators always seemed to have far more to offer. Needless to say, I was pretty ambivalent about the Spartacus Smooth G-Spot Dildo. Turns out, I grossly underestimated what a well-designed, well-made toy could do for me.

Thomas
My last dildo purchase for Lizzie was less than 100% satisfactory, although I think she quite liked the size ;-). It did look and smell awful; think John Holmes on steroids complete with ‘realistic veins’ (the manufacturer’s words on the packaging, not mine) and ‘realistic’ meaning varicose, apparently. The packaging was also a bit crap. I never showed it to Lizzie as it was too embarrassing (it featured a male model who looked like disturbingly like David Hasselhoff with some major Photoshop-ing having been done on his genitals) and I can see why they didn’t show this on the site I brought it from.

The packaging …

Lizzie
I really appreciate it when toy manufacturers cater to both genders, i.e. don’t plaster big-boobed, de-haired women all over their packaging. It immediately makes me more inclined to buy their products again. This Spartacus glass dildo is presented in a simple, black, hexagonal box with clean font. It’s completely neutral, in other words; you could buy it and give it to a man or woman without worrying that the branding was (potentially) going to send the wrong message, i.e. “I want you to be a porn star!”

How it looks …

Lizzie
Pretty! The dildo is made of mid-blue blown glass and beautifully shaped. The shaft, which has an insertable length of 6 inches (approximately 15.5 centimetres), runs at a consistent width and then flares out to create a bulb-shaped head with a diameter of 4.75 inches (12 centimetres) at its widest point.  The latter crooks forwards slightly, giving it the all-important ability to stimulate the G-Spot. At the dildo’s base, a simple ring that allows the person wielding it slip their fingers through and thus get (and maintain) a decent grip on the toy.

Thomas
Much better than our original monster. It looks like it could be a glass sculpture or a paperweight. The packaging is also subtle and low-key so you won’t feel like a member of the old mac brigade if you give one as a gift. Well-made and very smooth with no visible cracks or joins (a must in a glass dildo); it’s even got a ring you can hang it on. Handy.

In action …

Lizzie
Two words. Female ejaculation. I have experienced this orgasm-induced side effect quite a few times before but generally find it easier to achieve with Thomas’s fingers (although G-Spot vibrators also do the job). There was something about the Spartacus dildo’s shape, however, that got me there faster and more easily than either digits or my usual toy-partner in crime, the LELO Gigi. The head of the dildo, when angled correctly, felt wonderful when pressed and rubbed against my G-Spot and, as far as I’m concerned, the size and design of it are pretty close to perfect. I had four ejaculatory orgasms in the space of an hour with this thing (no lie) although Thomas was the one in the driver’s seat, so I have to give him a large chunk of the credit for using the dildo to such devastating effect.

Material-wise, the Spartacus felt wonderful. The glass was beautifully smooth and slippery and I especially liked the way it changed temperature during use. (To start with, it was very cool but as it absorbed my body heat, it became warmer and warmer.)

I found that the best way to use this toy was standing and bent forwards over a soft chair; the position gave Thomas a decent amount of room to manoeuvre and also allowed him some scope to get the dildo in the correct position. In addition, he was able to press the head of the dildo against the front wall of my vagina more easily (no fighting gravity) – and thus target my G-Spot.

Thomas
I didn’t know to start with this was a G-Spot dildo, although the shape looked about right for one so once we got down to business, I started to see how effective it would be for stimulating this area. Extremely effective, as it turned out.

I could tell it was certainly hitting the spot (so to speak) with Lizzie but it soon became very obvious that it was really hitting it. Lizzie has ejaculated a number of times before but this was by far the quickest and the most frequent I have seen, so much so that the line from that Bloodhound Gang song ‘love the kind you clean up with a mop and a bucket’ springs to mind. I could have stopped after the first one but I don’t like letting Lizzie off too easily so I thought I would push the boat out.

The reason I think this dildo works so well is because of the shape of its large, angled head. It caught Lizzie in just the right place inside and I could feel it moving over her pelvic bone (which is the sweet spot for her), so it was relatively simple to position. Also the ring on the base makes it easy to get a good grip and to get the head in at just the right angle (which is much harder to do with just the shaft on a normal dildo).

Any downsides?

Lizzie
None that I can think of. I’m in love with this thing!

The verdict?

Lizzie
A really fabulous dildo that looks good, is well made, and shaped like a dream. It’s very easy to clean, too, as it can be sterilised in the dishwasher. I suspect this toy is going to be brought out often and that it’s going to result in a quite a few soaked towels, sheets and floors. Great fun to use with a partner and highly (highly) recommended to those who enjoy or climax from G-Spot stimulation. Even better, although we had plenty of fun during our inaugural session with this dildo, there’s lots of scope to mix things up in the future as the glass construction means that we can warm it in a basin of water or cool it in the fridge or freezer before use. (The idea of the frozen glass being put somewhere hot holds a lot of appeal – rather like an ice cube but far less messy!)

Thomas
I have never used a glass dildo before but I have to say I am sold on this one; it looks good, has outstanding performance and is very practical. I also think the ability for it to be frozen will add extra thrills (and the odd shock) for Lizzie in the future.

In summary

Things we liked:

• The orgasms it produced. Full-on, full-out female ejaculation.
• The glass construction. Attractive and easy to clean.
• The play possibilities. Can be heated or cooled safely.
• Phthalate-free. No nasty chemicals and especially good for those with latex allergies.
• Lube-friendly. Because this dildo is made of glass, it can be used with all types of lubricants (oil-, silicone- or water-based).

Things we weren’t so keen on:

• Nothing!

Tickle your fancy? Click here to buy this item from Lovehoney.

The post A touch of glass: the Spartacus Smooth G-Spot Dildo appeared first on Behind the Chintz Curtain.

With all the media chatter going on about erotica ‘entering the mainstream’ post-Fifty Shades of Grey, it’s easy to forget that there’s been a wealth of wonderful – and sometimes controversial – erotic literature, paintings and objects that’s appeared over the centuries. In fact, our modern sexual lexicon is heavily influenced by all that has gone before. Take, for example, the words ‘sadism’ and ‘masochism’ (which I included definitions for in my last link round-up post). While many of us do understand their meaning, a considerably smaller number of people are aware of (or have read the work of) the writers after whom they were coined - Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, author of Venus in Furs, and Donatien Alphonse François, also known as the Marquis de Sade. Similarly, sex toys are nothing new: did you know that the word ‘dildo’ appeared in English in the 1500s?

If you’ve visited the Behind the Chintz Curtain Facebook page and scrolled back to the very beginning, you’ll know that we’ve included some significant sexual milestones, starting from the 1300s, in our timeline. But if you’re not a Facebook user – or simply can’t be bothered hitting the arrow key or stroking your mouse to get that far back – here they are. Think there’s something significant missing from the line up? Let me know …

2011: Fifty Shades of Grey

Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L James is released as an eBook by Australian virtual publisher, The Writers’ Coffee Shop.

2003-2004: Belle de Jour

Brooke Magnanti writes (anonymously) about her life as a prostitute via her blog, Belle de Jour: Diary of a London Call Girl (later published as Belle de Jour: The Intimate Adventures of a London Call Girl).

Image: Brooke Magnanti, a.k.a Belle de Jour, 2010. Original photograph by Paul Clarke.

1998: The Rabbit

Sex and the City’s The Turtle and the Hare episode, featuring the ‘Rabbit’ vibrator, airs for the first time.

1998: eReaders

The first dedicated eBook readers are released.

1993: Black Lace

Virgin Books launches Black Lace, an imprint specialising in erotica and erotic romance written for and by women.

1981: The G-Spot

The term ‘G-Spot’ is coined, named after German gynaecologist Ernst Gräfenberg.

1972: The Joy of Sex

The Joy of Sex, written by Alexander Comfort, is published.

1968: Cordless vibrator

The cordless vibrator is patented.

 

1954: The Story of O

Anne Desclos’s The Story of O is published under the pen name Pauline Réage. The book was written for her lover, Jean Paulhan, who admired the work of the Marquis de Sade.

 

1950s: ‘The Pill’

The first combined oral contraceptive (‘The Pill’) is developed and approved for use.

 

1940s: Anaïs Nin

Anaïs Nin writes erotic short stories for a private client at a price of one dollar per page. These shorts will go on to be published in the 1970s book, The Delta of Venus.

 

1934: Tropic of Cancer

Henry Miller’s Tropic of Cancer, a first person account of his sexual experiences and encounters, is published by the Obelisk Press.

 

1920: Latex condom

The first latex condom is made.

 

1883: Kama Sutra translated

Hindu philosopher Vātsyāyana’s Kama Sutra is translated into English and privately published.

 

1880: Electric vibrator

Dr J. M. Granville patents the first electromechanical vibrator.

Illustration: Nerve-vibration and excitation as agents in the treatment of functional disorder and organic disease, 1883. Original by Joseph Mortimer Granville.

 

1870: Venus in Furs

Venus in Furs, featuring a female dominant and a male submissive, is published. The term ‘masochism’ is later derived from the name of the book’s Austrian author, Leopold von Sacher-Masoch.

 

1869: The Manipulator
George Taylor invents the first steam-powered vibrator, known as the ‘Manipulator’.

 

1855: Rubber condom

The first rubber condom is made.

 

1748: Fanny Hill

John Cleland’s Fanny Hill is published. Depicting the life of a young girl working as a prostitute in London, it was banned until the 1970s in both the United Kingdom and the United States.

Image: Charles plucks Fanny’s virgin flower. Original by Édouard-Henri Avril.

 

1740: Marquis de Sade

The infamous Marquis de Sade (Donatien Alphonse François) is born. He would become famous for his libertine writings, such as Juliette, Justine, The 120 Days of Sodom, and Philosophy in the Bedroom. The word ‘sadism’ (from the French ‘sadisme’) is derived from his name.

Image: The signature of the Marquis de Sade, 1700s. Original by Marquis de Sade.

 

1684: Sodom is published

The obscene drama, Sodom (attributed to John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester), is published. Bolloxinion, King of Sodom, famously proclaims: ‘… that buggery may be used O’er all the land, so cunt be not abused’.

 

Circa 1593: Dildo

The word ‘dildo’ appears in English for the first time in Choise of Valentines [sic] by Thomas Nashe.

 

1592-1593: Venus and Adonis

William Shakespeare writes Venus and Adonis.

 

1524: I Modi (The Sixteen Pleasures)

Marcantonio Raimondi publishes I Modi (The Sixteen Pleasures), a series of explicit engravings featuring different sexual positions based on the erotic paintings of Giulio Romano. Pietro Aretino later composes sixteen Sonetti Lussuriosi (‘Lust Sonnets’) to accompany Giulio Romano’s original paintings.

Image: I Modi, 1524. Original by Marcantonio Raimondi.

 

1450s: The merkin

Merkins, pubic wigs, are used for the first time. The ten most famous merkins in recent years? http://www.thefrisky.com/photos/10-famous-merkins-on-screen/

 

Circa 1350-1353: The Decameron

Giovanni Boccaccio’s The Decameron is written. One hundred tales by ten different narrators of love, lust, bawdy behaviour and tragedy.

 

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