A rare 200-year-old condom crafted from a sheep’s appendix unveiled at Dutch museum

A rare 200-year-old condom featuring a provocative print has gone on display at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, offering a unique glimpse into 19th-century views on sexuality and reproductive health. Dating back to around 1830, the artifact is believed to be crafted from a sheep’s appendix and is one of only two known examples of its kind.

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The sheath, adorned with an erotic image of a nun and three clergymen in suggestive poses, may have originated as a souvenir from a brothel. Its inclusion in the museum’s exhibition on 19th-century prostitution highlights the intersection of printmaking, sexual culture, and societal anxieties of the time—particularly the fear of unwanted pregnancy and the spread of diseases like syphilis.

This condom marks the first instance of a printed contraceptive in the Rijksmuseum’s vast collection of over 750,000 prints and drawings. The museum says it sheds light on both the playful and grim aspects of sexual health during that period.

In related news, a German company has developed a smartphone application named Camdom, designed to prevent unauthorized recordings during intimate encounters. Dubbed a “digital condom,” the app uses Bluetooth technology to block cameras and microphones, aiming to safeguard users’ privacy in a digital age where non-consensual content sharing is a growing concern.

Together, the historical artifact and modern technology reflect enduring efforts to navigate privacy, consent, and protection in sexual contexts across centuries.