Melanesian art is dominated by organic materials like the feathers in this currency roll. Organic materials deteriorate over time. How does the natural process of decay affect this form of currency? Does it increase or decrease the value?

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Melanesian art is dominated by organic materials like the feathers in this currency roll. Organic materials deteriorate over time. How does the natural process of decay affect this form of currency? Does it increase or decrease the value?

Feather Currency Roll (Tevau)

Africa & Pacific Islands: Owsley Ethnographic Gallery»

user responses

emlacy:

I think time would cause this currency to be outdated and would destroy it through decay. Also as time went on, the value of the currency would decrease as the feathers fell out