The 1830s Condom: A Victorian-Era Erotic Artifact
Ancient Condom Crafted from Sheep's Intestine and adorned with Erotic Sculptures Showcased at the Dutch National Museum (after 200 years)
The Rijksmuseum, a renowned museum nestled in the heart of Amsterdam, has recently unveiled an exceptionally unique artifact - a condom hailing from Parisian brothels of the 1830s! This peculiar contraceptive, resembling a sheep appendix and adorned with an erotic drawing, depicts a sinful scene of a nun beckoning three lustful clergymen. With the French phrase "Voilà mon choix" (There, that's my choice) inscribed below, this peculiar piece has surely made its mark as the first condom to ever grace the museum's hallowed halls.
As per Joyce Zelen, a knowledgeable curator at the museum, this condom might have seen only lustful desires under the glow of UV light, but it was never actually used. Dubbed the epicenter of a new exhibition titled Safe Sex?, this artifact provides a captivating insight into themes of sex work and sexual health, making it a captivating addition to the museum's collection.
A Classical Myth Reborn
The intricate etching on the condom mirrors an ancient myth, The Judgment of Paris, where the Trojan prince Paris faced the daunting task of choosing the fairest of three Greek goddesses. In this parody, the myth is twisted to comment on sexuality and morality in 19th-century France, using sexual innuendo to illuminate societal norms.
As Joyce Zelen explains, in the 1830s, using condoms was taboo, particularly ostracized by the church. The rare sale of these contraceptives was often conducted discreetly at brothels or barber shops, though reports of luxury shops providing custom designs do exist.
Condoms of Yore
Before the advent of vulcanized rubber in 1839, condoms were typically fashioned from linen, animal membranes, or turtle shells. These materials were far from effective in preventing sexually transmitted diseases or unwanted pregnancies. The condom at the Rijksmuseum is fondly referred to as a "luxury souvenir", both embodying symbolic value and functioning as a prominent means of advertising, spanning just under eight inches in length.
Choosing the intended recipient of the nun's alluring gesture has also been a topic of debate. "The artwork leaves it uncertain whether the nun is pointing at the bald man, the thin man, or the slightly overweight man," Joyce Zelen muses, allowing any man to feel acknowledged.
The Condom and the Rijksmuseum's Collection
Acquired at a Haarlem auction in 2024 for approximately $1,142, with support from the F.G. Waller Fund, this is the very first print on a condom to join the museum's collection. Spanning more than 750,000 prints, the Rijksmuseum's collection now proudly holds this piece that represents the lighter and darker aspects of sexual health, flourishing amidst the anxieties of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, particularly syphilis.
The Safe Sex? exhibition is currently open and will run until the end of November 2025. Once you're done exploring the story of this 19th-century condom, consider venturing into the mysterious depths of the Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, one of the oddest museums on Earth. Then, delve into the history of condoms to expand your knowledge of the evolution of sexual health.
- The 1830s condom, now a part of the Rijksmuseum's collection, offers a fascinating glimpse into the themes of sex work and sexual health of the 19th century, as depicted in the exhibition titled Safe Sex?.
- The intricate etching on the condom resembles The Judgment of Paris, a classical myth, and serves as a commentary on sexuality and morality during the 1830s in France.
- Before the invention of vulcanized rubber in 1839, condoms were typically made from materials such as linen, animal membranes, or turtle shells, which were far less effective than modern options in preventing sexually transmitted diseases or unwanted pregnancies.
- (In response to a hypothetical question about the intended recipient of the nun's gesture) Joyce Zelen, the curator at the Rijksmuseum, suggests that the artwork leaves it uncertain whether the nun is pointing at the bald man, the thin man, or the slightly overweight man, thus allowing any man to feel acknowledged.
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