Hierarchy classification:

1. top of the aat hierarchies
2. Agents Facet
3. People (hierarchy name)
4. people (agents)
5. [people by occupation]
6. [people in commerce and business]
7. merchants

Anotations

Scope note:

Persons whose occupation is the purchase and sale of silk goods or for profit. Originally used of any trader in goods not manufactured or produced by his or her own hand, from the 16th century, chiefly restricted to wholesale traders, particularly those trading across borders.