Essex auction in rude health - 29/03/2010

An Essex-based auction house has sold two antique sex toys believed to be more than 200 years old.

The wooden phalluses, believed to be French and dating from the late 1700s, sold for £3,600 at Brentwood Antiques Auction, according to the Press Association.

Auctioneer Wendy Wood revealed during the sale that the antiques offered buyers a rare investment opportunity and suggested that while some might find the items amusing, a similar lot would not come around again for "a long time".

Listed as erotica, the auction catalogue said: "A pair of wooden phallus contained within a fitted kid leather covered Treen case with strap fleurs-de-lys decoration,

"The case, although having a re-lined interior appears to have age commensurate with those of the phallus and both are thought to date from the late 18th century."

The buyer remained anonymous.