The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam has unveiled a remarkable artifact: a nearly 200-year-old condom, said to be in "mint condition." This unique piece, dated around 1830, was crafted from a sheep's appendix and is now part of an exhibition focused on 19th-century prostitution and sexuality. The condom, featuring an explicit print depicting a nun and three clergymen, was acquired by the museum in an auction last year.
Curator Joyce Zelen described the moment her team discovered the condom at auction, recalling their amusement when they realized it was largely overlooked by other bidders. Following the acquisition, museum staff inspected the item with UV light and confirmed its unused status. "It's in mint condition," Zelen remarked.
Since its exhibit debut, the museum has drawn large crowds, with visitors of all ages expressing amazement at the rare display. The condom is believed to have been a "luxury souvenir" from an upscale brothel in France, and notably, it is one of only two known surviving objects of this kind. The museum emphasizes that this artifact represents both the humorous and serious aspects of sexual health during a period marked by concerns over unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, particularly syphilis.
The inscription on the condom, "Voilà mon choix" ("There is my choice"), adds to its significance, suggesting a parody of themes surrounding celibacy and the myth of Paris from Greek mythology, where a Trojan Prince chose the fairest goddess. Remarkably, this is the first instance of a condom with a printed design in the museum's extensive Print Room collection of 750,000 art pieces.
The museum is open to loaning the delicate item to other institutions, but it will remain on display until the end of November, attracting curiosity about its historic and cultural value.
Curator Joyce Zelen described the moment her team discovered the condom at auction, recalling their amusement when they realized it was largely overlooked by other bidders. Following the acquisition, museum staff inspected the item with UV light and confirmed its unused status. "It's in mint condition," Zelen remarked.
Since its exhibit debut, the museum has drawn large crowds, with visitors of all ages expressing amazement at the rare display. The condom is believed to have been a "luxury souvenir" from an upscale brothel in France, and notably, it is one of only two known surviving objects of this kind. The museum emphasizes that this artifact represents both the humorous and serious aspects of sexual health during a period marked by concerns over unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, particularly syphilis.
The inscription on the condom, "Voilà mon choix" ("There is my choice"), adds to its significance, suggesting a parody of themes surrounding celibacy and the myth of Paris from Greek mythology, where a Trojan Prince chose the fairest goddess. Remarkably, this is the first instance of a condom with a printed design in the museum's extensive Print Room collection of 750,000 art pieces.
The museum is open to loaning the delicate item to other institutions, but it will remain on display until the end of November, attracting curiosity about its historic and cultural value.
