What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever seen in a museum?
A dinosaur fossil? A mummified cat?
How about a 200-year-old condom… with erotic art on it?
Welcome to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where history takes a very unexpected turn.
A Glimpse Into the Past: The Sheath
Dating back to around 1830, this antique condom — or sheath, as it was called — is made from sheep intestine.
This was a common material in the 19th century, offering flexibility and a surprising degree of durability.
But what truly sets this relic apart isn’t the material — it’s the illustration printed on it.
Erotic Art… On a Condom?
The sheath is decorated with a scene featuring a half-naked nun and three clerics, a striking blend of religious satire and eroticism.
Beneath the image, a French caption reads: “Voilà mon choix” — “This is my choice.”
Experts believe it may have originated from a luxurious Parisian brothel, meant as a novelty item or erotic souvenir rather than for actual use.
In fact, researchers at the museum used UV light analysis to confirm the item had never been used.
How It Ended Up in a Museum
The Rijksmuseum acquired the condom at a Haarlem auction in November 2024 for just €1,000.
Now, it’s proudly displayed in their ongoing exhibition “Safe Sex?”, which explores the history of sexuality, contraception, and sex work.
It’s the first artifact of its kind in the museum’s collection — and it’s drawing plenty of curious visitors.
A Modern Look at Historical Taboos
Why is this so important?
This small, strange object opens the door to bigger conversations about:
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Historical attitudes toward sexuality
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Religious satire and censorship
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Early contraception methods
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How museums are evolving to include “taboo” artifacts in public history
It’s funny. It’s weird. It’s thought-provoking.
And it’s 100% real.
Final Thoughts
When you think about museum exhibits, you probably don’t expect a preserved 1830s condom with erotic art.
But that’s exactly why this story is going viral.
It’s a reminder that history isn’t just about kings and wars — sometimes it’s about the strange, intimate objects people left behind.
Would you go see this in person?
📺 Watch the Short video here:
👉 https://youtube.com/shorts/x-2CccFW6zg