Secretum

The Secretum is a collection housed at the British Museum containing artifacts and images related to sexuality, including ancient amulets, charms, and votive offerings from different civilizations. The collection comprises approximately 1,150 items that were assembled over time.

The collection was established in 1865 when George Witt donated 434 phallic artifacts to the museum, and it expanded significantly during the Victorian era. This founding marked a turning point in recognizing sexual representations as worthy of academic study.

The collection displays objects from ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, medieval England, Japan, and India, showing how different civilizations approached sexuality and fertility in their art and rituals. Visitors can observe these perspectives through artifacts that reveal the beliefs and practices of distant cultures.

Access to this collection was historically restricted and required written permission for visitors with academic purposes. Today it is openly accessible to the general public like other parts of the museum.

The final significant addition to the collection occurred in 1953 when eighteenth-century condoms were discovered hidden inside a library book. This discovery shows how everyday objects can remain concealed for decades before unexpectedly resurfacing.

Location: London Borough of Camden

Part of: British Museum

GPS coordinates: 51.51900,-0.12700

Latest update: December 8, 2025 20:01