The 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris was visited by over 15 million people from around the world and 20 countries participated in pavilions along the esplanade. The aim was to highlight the most progressive arts and crafts and furniture design of each country.



The Swedish art industry presented its style as Swedish Grace, elegant and light, with roots in the earlier Swedish Gustavian era with antiquity- inspired elements. The Swedish pavilion, designed by architect Carl Bergsten, was filled with works by the likes of Carl Malmsten, Olle Hjortzberg, Anna Petrus and Eric Grate. The pavilion received the second highest number of awards at the entire exhibition.



Several sculptures by Carl Milles were shown, including the Susanna Fountain and Naiad with Fishes. Another item on display was the garden urn that Milles designed in the early 1920s which became the prototype of the popular Milles flower pot.