Mahogany, sugar and porcelain: global goods for a Swedish aristocratic family in the eighteenth century

Countess Ulrika Eleonora Spens of Salnecke was in the habit of visiting Stockholm three times a year, in the spring, summer and autumn, to shop for herself, her husband Count Carl Gustaf and their two sons.¹ In July 1799, she spent a month in the capital. She spent 108 Riksdaler (Rd)during her stay, of which over a quarter went on salaries and other payments for serving women, lady’s maids, footmen, maids-of-all-work, tailors, hairdressers and dentists; another quarter was spent on buying Swedish-made goods such as hats, gloves, scarves, paper, pounce, Epsom salts, spirit vinegar and radishes. However, nearly half her