1774 Sofia Bielke-Olive

18th-Century Swedish Floral Print – Historic Cotton Design, ca. 1730–1749

Product Description

This design is a refined recreation of an 18th-century Swedish floral print, characterised by large stylised blossoms, flowing stems, and dense secondary foliage. The composition is balanced yet lively, designed to repeat seamlessly and perform well across full garments as well as larger textile surfaces.

The cool blue palette on a light ground gives the pattern a crisp, graphic clarity while retaining the complexity typical of advanced mid-18th-century printed cottons. The line work reflects a design originally intended for multi-stage colour printing, a hallmark of high-quality European calico production of the period.

Well suited for:

• Rococo and early Gustavian dresses
• Aprons, petticoats, and bed hangings
• Curtains, wall panels, and historically informed interiors

Design & Historical Context

The original source material belongs to a unique historical collection assembled by Anders Berch (1711–1774), professor and pioneer of economic and industrial studies in Sweden. The pattern survives as a printed paper sample, originally used as a reference or production model within textile manufacturing.

Christina Sofia Bielke, born 1727 and died 1803, was a politically active Swedish countess. She was married to Councilor Count Carl Rudenschöld and was the mother of the conspirator Magdalena Rudenschöld.