Although it was reopened after the second world war, the Gabinetto, which is housed in the National Archeological Museum in Naples, has been closed since 1971, ostensibly for restoration.

ECONOMIST: Archaeology

It is ironic, as the museum's director, Professor Stefano De Caro, explained recently while guiding visitors around the Gabinetto, that over the centuries most European courts, when embarrassed by objects they considered obscene in their collections, would consign them to Naples.

ECONOMIST: Archaeology