Paper short abstract

The focus will be on three fields of objects - silver ware, books and paintings. They will be investigated on the basis of autobiographical sources (diaries of Samuel Pepys), of probate inventories and of paintings.

Paper long abstract

The discussions on consumerism and the birth of the consumer society are still going on. Can we see already a beginning in early modern times? Can Samuel Pepys be an example for this special kind of purchaser? Confronted with totally different people and their - mostly conservative - ways of place making this question should be discussed on the basis of rather different sources - diaries (like that of Samuel Pepys), probate inventories and paintings.