Tableware as a Component of Nourishment Culture of the 18th-Century Cossack Offecer Staff

Author

Dziuba Olena

a Ph.D. in History, a senior research fellow at the NASU Institute of History of Ukraine

Tableware as a Component of Nourishment Culture of the 18th-Century Cossack Offecer Staff

Abstract

Tableware, as a component of nourishment culture of the Cossack elite of the 18th century, shows a way of life, material possibilities of this social layer. Cossack foremen have held apart the Cossack surroundings more and more, comprehended themselves as a nobility. That’s why they arrange life accordingly. It is indicated in the tableware assortment, its quality and cost. These are articles different in form, material and functions, namely dishes and soup plates, plates, large and small spoons, knives, forks, scoops, ladles, bowls, cups, goblets, wooden jugs, bottles, teapots, coffee pots, sugar bowls, trays, etc. Cossack foremen have also used wooden and clay plates and dishes, traditional for all social layers of that time society, in everyday life. However, copper, pewter, silver and also porcelain, cut glass tableware, typical for European nourishment culture in general, becomes more and more widespread. Tableware is of an exceptional value. It is entered on the lists of dowry, testaments, wedding presents. Its buying, cost and weight have been fixed in particular in the dairies of P. Apostol, Ya. Markovych, M. Khanenko, private letters.

Various articles for drinking, cooking and food taking are described on the base of indicated documentary sources. Copper, pewter and silver tableware has been bought in Moscow and Saint Petersburg. It has been manufactured by the local masters also. Kyiv and Chernihiv, Starodub, Nizhyn are well-known goldsmith centres in Hetmanshchyna. Cossack foremen have reserved tableware both to local and foreign masters. It has been brought also from German lands, Gdansk, Wroclaw. Trade connections have been sustained with them. Silver tableware has been distinguished by high artistic quality and cost. Goods choice has been broadened and Cossack foremen follow fashion and buy up-to-date articles.

Dissemination of tea and coffee drinking requires appropriate tableware and accessories. Cossack elite buys porcelain cups, teapots, coffee pots, sugar bowls, mills, decorates table with the napkins and tablecloths. Both glass and cut glass ware, used for various drinks, becomes diverse.

Thus, during the 18th century an active process of Cossack foremen aristocratization is observed. It is seen especially by way of example of tableware use different in quality and cost.

Keywords

Cossack foremen, the 18th century, tableware, cost, accessories.

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