The irony of visiting the Citi Money Gallery at the British Museum
just after having had my debit card refused in a pizzeria didn't escape me.
What with my card refused and my friend not remembering her PIN,
we would have perhaps done better with cash.
Cold, hard cash,
from Egypt 1352-1336BC.
Back then it was all about weight. Gold and silver cut up to produce the exact change.
we would have perhaps done better with cash.
Cold, hard cash,
from Egypt 1352-1336BC.
Back then it was all about weight. Gold and silver cut up to produce the exact change.
What weight for a pizza and a couple of drinks, I wonder?
In China we could have paid with strings of cowrie shells, 1000BC.
You'll have to trust me on this one...
"Decorated bronze axes" from Brittany, France, "may have been used as currency".
800-650BC.
What's that in new money?
Perhaps not small enough change to pay for a pizza?
These gold bars from the Roman Empire, AD250-400, were used to pay taxes.
Careful though, that coin's a fake.
You couldn't pay in a hurry, it had three separate locks needing three different keys.
Money as protest in 2009.
During Zimbabwe's time of hyperinflation this artwork was made of worthless banknotes,
in protest against a 55% luxury tax, which included the independent newspaper,
The Zimbabwean.
These gold bars from the Roman Empire, AD250-400, were used to pay taxes.
Careful though, that coin's a fake.
Plenty of change in this hoard, shipwrecked in the 1630s
off the coast near Salcombe, Devon.
In the 17th century, carrying your money around
wasn't simply a case of shoving your purse in your handbag.
This cash box, used to transport money, is hardly what you'd call discreet.
You couldn't pay in a hurry, it had three separate locks needing three different keys.
I love this. Money to subvert, to circulate messages.
Although illegal, the Women's Social and Political Union used coins for Votes For Women.
Small change for a big change.
Illustrating modern consumerist society,
the British Museum really does have a 'Shop with me' Barbie cash register on display.
"Complete with a miniature credit card".
At the beginning of the 20th century in London,
not only did cash registers record sales and do the adding up for you,
it was important that they looked good too.
This cash register's case was made by Tiffany & Co, New York.
As a little girl, I know which one I would have chosen to play with,
I wanted buttons, cash, drama, drawers that opened and a bell that tinged.
I wanted plastic money, payment and change.
If a cashless society is the future, what will happen to all that plastic money? And chocolate coins?
It is illegal to copy currency in Britain,
so when Dr Who needed cash to confuse the enemy in 2006,
Cybermen if I remember correctly,
the BBC made these fantastic Ten Satsuma notes.
There's even a short film to watch, Dr Who saving the day/tampering with
a cashpoint (ATM) using his sonic screwdriver.
Money, the subject of art.
Nine dollars from Andy Warhol.
Art, made of money.
Trillion Dollar Poster 2009.
Money as protest in 2009.
During Zimbabwe's time of hyperinflation this artwork was made of worthless banknotes,
in protest against a 55% luxury tax, which included the independent newspaper,
The Zimbabwean.
I think the Money Gallery in the British Museum houses one of the most diverse collections
on one theme that I have ever seen.
From the beginnings of money 2500BC, to shop-keeping and 21st century art.
Thinking about a previous museum visit, I spotted a connection,
between the British Museum and the National Portrait Gallery,
between this 16th century church offering box in the British Museum from Italy,
and the Jesus Army Money Box by Grayson Perry in the National Nortrait Gallery.
From the 'Who are you?' exhibition, which I posted about, click here.
I don't know whether Grayon Perry had drawn inspiration from the 16th century offering box or not, but in spotting the two, I felt like I had found a little bit of treasure, a discovery all of my own.
Just in case you were worried about my financial situation, had I overspent on my card?
It worked fine the next time I used it, must have been the card reader at the restaurant.
I rather like the idea of using cowrie shells again - but I'd need a bigger purse!
ReplyDeleteFascinating, I had no idea there were so many sorts of money. There is an island called Yap and they use stone money which is great big - really big! - circles of stone with holes in the middle. They just lie around all over the place outside buildings. Crazy huh. A lot easier to keep your cowrie shells organised and safe! xx
ReplyDeleteThis is interesting, I'd love to pay in shells, so much more interesting - although I would end up hoarding the nice ones!
ReplyDeleteIn my teens I worked in a shop and you pressed the till buttons for the price and then another button to open the drawer. It was so busy you had to add everything up in your head. I loved it but if the power went off we had to wind a handle and that was a complete pain. Boodle Am in Leeds had one of those big tills with the buttons and I was glad ours was more modern.
They ought to include a video of the K Foundation (or the KLF) burning a million pounds, basically what they had earned as a music group. That was in the name of art you know! Still not sure if I approve or disapprove but it certainly makes you think. Fascinating post as always!
ReplyDelete