An almost 200-year-old condom in pristine condition has been unveiled at the Rijksmuseum during an exhibition on 19th-century sexuality, further igniting discussions about the interplay of pleasure and health.
200-Year-Old Condom Displayed at Rijksmuseum Captivates Visitors
200-Year-Old Condom Displayed at Rijksmuseum Captivates Visitors
A rare 1830 condom, made from sheep's appendix, is now showcased at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, attracting attention with its intriguing history.
An extraordinary artifact from the past, an almost 200-year-old condom, has gone on display at Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum, where it is captivating visitors with its unique story. This rare piece, believed to be made from a sheep's appendix and dating back to 1830, features an explicit illustration depicting a nun alongside three clergymen. The condom was acquired by the museum during an auction last year and is part of a larger exhibition focused on the themes of 19th-century prostitution and sexuality.
Joyce Zelen, the curator of the Rijksmuseum, shared with the BBC that she and her colleague found the condom both amusing and remarkable upon discovering it in the auction. "No one else noticed it, and we were the only ones who bid on it," Zelen explained. After purchasing the item, curators inspected it using UV light and confirmed its unused status, declaring that it is indeed in "mint condition."
Since its debut, the exhibition has drawn crowds of curious onlookers of all ages. Zelen noted that the public response has been overwhelmingly positive. The museum speculated that this condom was likely made as a "luxury souvenir" from a high-end brothel in France, making it one of only two surviving examples of its kind.
The object serves as a conversation starter about the complexities of sexual health in an era marked by anxieties over unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, particularly syphilis. The playful print on the condom illustrates a nun provocatively posed before the clergymen, holding the phrase "Voilà mon choix," or "There is my choice," emblematic of a parody of celibacy and the myth of the Judgement of Paris.
The Rijksmuseum, housing an extensive collection of around 750,000 prints, drawings, and photographs, recognizes this condom as a unique addition to its Print Room collection, marking it as the first of its kind to feature a print. Although Zelen mentioned the museum is open to loaning out the artifact, its delicate nature poses challenges for transportation.
The condom will remain on display until the end of November, inviting further exploration into the lighter and darker elements of human sexuality throughout history.
