Print and Design Print and Design Lidköping 12 May 2009 Porcelain was invented in China, and for hundreds of years was imported to Europe. The blue and white semiotic was re-invented in tin glazed Delft ware - an early imitation. When eventually developed in Europe it became a prestigious national product, with ‘Royal Porcelain’ companies springing up in a number of countries. (see<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Arcanum-Extraordinary-Invention-European-Porcelain/dp/0553506927/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1242111784&sr=1-1"> </a><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Arcanum-Extraordinary-Invention-European-Porcelain/dp/0553506927/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1242111784&sr=1-1">The Arcanum: Extraordinary True Story of the Invention of European Porcelain).</a><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Arcanum-Extraordinary-Invention-European-Porcelain/dp/0553506927/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1242111784&sr=1-1"> </a>Sadly - porcelain and other ceramic manufacturers (including Spode and Royal Copehagen) have systematically closed down their European production in recent years, with the ironic result that it has returned east - back to China. Rörstrand closed its Swedish factory a couple of years ago, but today on the site of its Lidköping plant new ceramic micro businesses and artist studios are developing. One such is <a href="http://www.printdesign.se">Print Design</a> who have taken over the old factory’s print/decorating department. I love the shelves, racks and patterned storage of these production spaces..... Here’s some images from their set up. <a href="http://www.bibbiforsman.se/">Bibbi Forsman</a> has also been in Lidköping recently working on a commission for the hospital, here’s her take on the old Rörstrand site - click <a href="http://bibbiforsman.blogspot.com/2009/05/fabriken-ldkp.html">here</a> and <a href="http://bibbiforsman.blogspot.com/2009/05/rorstrand-rest-in-peace.html">here</a>