The Consumption Practices of Moscow Nobles and Merchants During the Late 18th and Early 19th Centuries

This research is devoted to identifying the structure of consumption of Moscow nobles and merchants in the late 18th - early 19th centuries. First part of the study presents primary sources’ analysis of cases on granting the allowances for the restoration of houses after the fire in Moscow in 1812. Also, this part describes the collected database. The second chapter contains a description of the theoretical aspects of consumption and conspicuous consumption from the point of view of economic sociology, sumptuary legislation, luxury goods according to contemporaries’ views and items that included in the studied cases. The third part of the study is devoted to comparing the consumer strategies of Moscow's nobles and merchants, both within and between the estates. It was found that mostly representatives of both estates spent significant amounts on the purchase and repair of houses, their arrangement, and means of transportation. The consumption of luxury items was more related to home improvement, hosting dinner parties and receiving guests. Features of consumer strategies of the nobles consist in the possession of such things that mark the consumption of items of high culture. The consumer strategies of merchants are more likely to reflect their professional activities, as well as their religious beliefs. The consumption model of the presented Moscow nobles reflects the occurring Westernization, while the consumer model of the Moscow merchant class is seen as more utilitarian.