The Age of Liberty and Swedish Rococo

Parliament ruled, trade grew and the first Swedish factories for faience and glass were founded. Rococo became a light, softly curving style.

After the death of Karl XII parliament took power, and a mercantilist policy was to make the country self-sufficient. Rörstrand began making faience in 1726, Kosta glass in 1742 and Marieberg faience in 1758. The Swedish East India Company was founded in 1731 and brought Chinese porcelain, tea and silk to Gothenburg.

Carl Hårleman directed the decoration of the Royal Palace in Stockholm and spread the Rococo to the manor houses. Swedish Rococo furniture has curved legs, pierced back splats and swelling commode fronts, and it was often painted in light colours.