ABSTRACT
The consumption patterns examined in this book contain specific implications about people’s lifestyles and values in the early modern period and about the forces acting upon them. From a social perspective we can see various social boundaries to consumption. From an economic perspective consumption can be seen to influence, and be influenced by, trade and economic growth. But the meanings of consumption patterns are multilayered and, transcending these specific implications, there are more general implications which are not always explicitly visible.
