200-Year-Old Condom on Display

The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam has recently unveiled a remarkable artifact that offers a unique glimpse into 19th-century sexual practices and attitudes. A condom, dating back to approximately 1830 and in pristine condition, is now on display as part of an exhibition exploring prostitution and sexuality in the 1800s.

This rare specimen, believed to be crafted from a sheep's appendix, bears an explicit print depicting a nun and three clergymen in a suggestive tableau. The imagery, accompanied by the inscription "Voilà mon choix" ("There is my choice"), is interpreted as a parody of both religious celibacy and the mythological Judgement of Paris.

Curator Joyce Zelen revealed that the museum acquired this extraordinary item at auction last year, where it went unnoticed by other bidders. Subsequent examination under UV light confirmed its unused state, adding to its historical significance. Zelen speculates that the condom was likely a luxury souvenir from an upscale French brothel, with only one other similar artifact known to exist.

The exhibition contextualizes the condom within the broader landscape of 19th-century sexual health, highlighting the era's anxieties surrounding unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, particularly syphilis. This unique artifact not only provides insight into historical contraceptive methods but also reflects the complex interplay between pleasure, morality, and health in Victorian-era society.