Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 5

Male Continental Silver Chastity Device

$8,850List Price

About the Item

This remarkably rare and intriguing 19th century silver adolescent chastity device was designed to accommodate the male anatomy. Perforated and featuring wire-work rims, this device was most likely fitted into a leather harness-like belt and meant to be worn by adolescents to discourage “self-abuse,” which was considered harmful in Western medicine. Though restrictive by nature, these devices do provide access for urination. Chastity belts typically conjure images of jealous husbands and medieval torture, but in fact, items such as this was mentioned quite often in medical journals as a prevention to auto-erotic stimulation in children and adolescents. Seen as a medical necessity, such devices were used from the 1700s to the 1930s. It is almost unheard of to find such an excellent, 19th-century example as this, especially in such immaculate condition, circa 1850 4oz. 10dwt Measures: 5” long The first documented reference to the term "chastity belt" is credited to R'gine Pernoud, a Medieval historian who, in the 14th century explained that a simple cord worn around the waist was a symbol of chastity (such as the robes of a monk or priest - the cord around his waist is a symbol of his vows of chastity and purity). According to modern myth, the chastity belt was originally used as an anti-temptation device during the Crusades. It is believed that when the knight was away from his young wife, he would force her to wear the belt day and night. However, chastity belts that claimed to have been manufactured around that time have since been proven to be 19th century replicas, curiosities or fakes, and were the product of a purely Victorian fascination with such devices. Two chastity belts believed to be authentic have been exhibited at the Musée de Cluny in Paris. The first, a simple velvet-covered hoop and plate of iron, was supposedly worn by Catherine de' Medici. The other—said to have been worn by Anna of Austria—is a hinged pair of plates held about the waist by metal straps, featuring intricately etched figures of Adam and Eve. There are other such belts at the Germanisches Nationalmuseum in Nuremberg and the British Museum in London. Most have been removed from display to avoid any further embarrassment because the authenticity of these belts as Renaissance devices has since been called into question.

Dimensions:
Height: 5 in (12.7 cm)Width: 3.5 in (8.89 cm)Depth: 5 in (12.7 cm)
Style:
Victorian (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Silver
Place of Origin:
Unknown
Period:
19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1850
Condition:
Seller Location:
New Orleans, LA
Reference Number:
Seller: 29-35591stDibs: LU891116092091

Mid-20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass, Wood

An old ophtalmology device, Italy 1950.

$1,906

H 25 in W 28.5 in D 8.5 in

Continental Dutch Wood Handled Silver Ashtray or Cheroot Holder

Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire

A stylish Continental, probably Dutch, wooden handled silver ashtray or cheroot holder dating from the 19th century. The heavily made container is of re...

Category

Antique 19th Century Dutch Victorian Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Continental Dutch Wood Handled Silver Ashtray or Cheroot Holder

$631

Free Shipping

H 1.97 in W 3.55 in D 5.71 in

Edwardian Period Continental Silver (.800) Austrian Cigarette Case

By Moritz Zdekauer Austria

Located in New York, NY

Edwardian Period, Continental Silver (.800) cigarette case with hinged lid, having a coat of arms in the upper left front corner, Austria, Ca. 1910, Moritz Zdekauer - maker. Cigarett...

Category

Vintage 1910s Edwardian Tobacco Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Edwardian Period Continental Silver (.800) Austrian Cigarette Case

$795

H 0.75 in W 2.75 in D 3.5 in

Late 19th Century Continental Silver Kiddush Cup

Located in New York, NY

Hand engraved silver Kiddush cup, 1894. Engraved with Hebrew text: "This cup of Blessing donated by Max Freined for "Aid for sick" society, Rosh Ha'Shana, ...

Category

Antique 1890s European Religious Items

Materials

Silver

Late 19th Century Continental Silver Kiddush Cup

$1,560

H 3.35 in Dm 2.96 in

Shock Therapy McIntosh Polysine Generator Quck Medical Device

Located in Norwalk, CT

A very interesting piece having to do with the treatment of mental health in america. this machine dates to the 1940s or earlier, its missing and of the...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Shock Therapy McIntosh Polysine Generator Quck Medical Device

$3,600 Sale Price

20% Off

H 31 in W 20 in D 20 in

Continental Metal and Silver Filigree Sword with Scabbard

Located in Queens, NY

Continental (19th Century) metal sword with silver filigree handle wrapped in black rope with a small dolphin detail.

Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Biedermeier Arms, Armor and Weapons

Materials

Metal

Continental Metal and Silver Filigree Sword with Scabbard

$2,200

H 4.5 in W 39 in D 3 in

Vintage Tiffany Co. Sterling Silver Male or Mars Symbol Bookmark

By Tiffany Co.

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A fine Mars bookmark. By Tiffany & Co. In sterling silver. In the form of the Mars symbol, used in modern day as the representation of the Male and Masculinity. Simply wonderful ...

Category

20th Century Modern Books

Materials

Sterling Silver

Vintage Tiffany Co. Sterling Silver Male or Mars Symbol Bookmark

$295

H 2.12 in W 1.51 in D 0.06 in

Antique German Military Cut Crystal Continental Silver Presentation Claret Jug

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

This antique German cut crystal and .800 silver lidded pitcher was made by a Julius Merz in circa 1900 in the period Edwardian style. The collar and...

Category

Early 20th Century German Edwardian Pitchers

Materials

Crystal, Silver

Antique German Military Cut Crystal Continental Silver Presentation Claret Jug

$1,495

H 14.5 in W 6 in D 7 in

A sterling silver filigree and enamel butterfly brooch, Continental circa 1930

Located in Central England, GB

This exquisite piece of Stirling silver handmade filigree jewellery is a very fine example. The woven and soldered silver wire is incredibly delicate work. It is formed in five gra...

Category

Mid-20th Century Maltese Arts and Crafts Collectible Jewelry

Materials

Silver

A sterling silver filigree and enamel butterfly brooch, Continental circa 1930

$583

H 1.19 in W 2.17 in D 0.4 in

Vintage Scandinavian Foot - Shoe Sizer Professional Measuring device, 1970s

Located in Esbjerg, DK

A high-quality shoe sizer / foot measurer, Built like a tank and fashioned from solid teak and stainless steel. It can be wall-hung via a small hole to its back. It came out of a sma...

Category

Vintage 1970s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Stainless Steel

Vintage Scandinavian Foot - Shoe Sizer Professional Measuring device, 1970s

$530

H 14.97 in W 5.12 in D 2.37 in

More From This Seller

View All

Royal Silver Calcutta Races Trophy

By Goldsmiths Silversmiths Co. Ltd.

Located in New Orleans, LA

This stunning piece of horseracing history was presented to the winner of the 1933-1934 Calcutta Races on behalf of King George V. The Calcutta Races was the premier horseracing event in Asia of the period, and its prestige is reflected in this trophy, crafted by the silversmithing firm Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Company...

Category

20th Century English Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Silver

Royal Silver Calcutta Races Trophy

$58,000

Joe DiMaggio Silver Presentation Tray by Cartier

By Cartier

Located in New Orleans, LA

Made for one of the most celebrated sports figures of the 20th century, this incredible Cartier presentation tray was gifted to the baseball star Joe DiMaggio...

Category

20th Century French Other Sports Equipment and Memorabilia

Materials

Silver

Joe DiMaggio Silver Presentation Tray by Cartier

$56,000

George III Silver Tray for Lt. Robert Chester

By Hannam Crouch

Located in New Orleans, LA

This fascinating George III silver tray is a work of skillful English artistry, intricately chased and engraved it represents a prestigious commemorative gift for service. The tray rests on 4 bracket feet with oval handles and a delightful gadrooned border. The tray is distinguished by a spectacular engraved inscription of unmatched quality that bears a presentation inscription. The inscription is surrounded by a laurel wreath border with arms, two coat of arms and flags, two of which bear the monograms for King George III and George Spencer...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English George III Platters and Serveware

Materials

Silver

George III Silver Tray for Lt. Robert Chester

$49,850

Silver Ship’s Bell for Sir William Bentley Purchase of Operation Mincemeat

By Goldsmiths Silversmiths Co. Ltd.

Located in New Orleans, LA

Silver Ship’s Bell Presented to Sir William Bentley Purchase Bell made in 1944, presented in 1958 This remarkable artifact of Second World War history is the silver ship’s bell pres...

Category

20th Century English Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Silver

Silver Ship’s Bell for Sir William Bentley Purchase of Operation Mincemeat

$58,500

Continental Silver Gilt Salt Cellars

Located in New Orleans, LA

This set of six 19th century Continental silver gilt salt cellars take the triangular form of silver salts used by the affluent in Renaissance-era Germany. The salts are masterfully executed in a bold Mannerist style...

Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Renaissance Tableware

Materials

Silver

Continental Silver Gilt Salt Cellars

$28,850 / set

Silverplate Cannon With Wheels

Located in New Orleans, LA

This exceptional objet d'art is modeled after a cannon from the siege of Mafeking, a 217-day conflict in South Africa during the Second Boer War. It is composed of silverplate over c...

Category