Lladro Figurines History
Fisseha Aranda
Lladro was founded by the three Lladro brothers: Juan, Jose, and Vicente in 1953. The founders formed the family company in the village of Almacera, Spain, near Valencia. After more than 50 years, the Lladro family remains at the helm of the world famous pottery manufacturing firm.The characteristic and unmistakable style of Lladro figurines relate to the elongated figures of the Mannerist period in Spanish art history, circa 1515-1600. The Mannerist artists including the famous Spanish master, El Greco, and his many followers, who produced works of art featuring figures with elegant body forms. Lengthy necklines, expressive arms, and long legs were all typical of the Spanish Mannerist style and this tradition is continued via the collectible Lladro figurines.
Lladro values have skyrocketed over the years. Of course, in locales such as Spain and the Caribbean islands, Lladros are marketed and sold from the hundreds of dollars level to upwards of tens of thousands of dollars. The larger and more complex the sculpture, the more valuable it is.
Lladro pieces have a distinct form and color palette of soft blue, grey, off-white and pink. In 1971, a logo was created that represented the link both art and science, the basis of all Lladro creations in fine porcelain. The logo joined an ancient chemical symbol with a stylized version of a very popular bellflower from the local Valencian region. This flower is incorporated as both a tribute to nature, the mother of clay, and to the region of Spain where Lladro was born. The finishing touch to this corporate logo is the Lladro name printed below the art/science symbol.
Lladro porcelain figurines are renowned worldwide for their exquisite beauty and painstaking attention to detail. Here at The Prudent Collector we are glad to share the history of Lladro figurines with you.
Lladro was founded in 1953 as a small family-owned business in Almacera, a tiny farming community near the city of Valencia, on Spain's eastern Mediterranean coast. Born into a humble farming family, Juan, Jose, and Vincente Lladro were first introduced to the arts by their mother, Rosa Lladro. Juan and Jose displayed an interest in painting while Vincente showed a remarkable aptitude in the area of sculpture. Their mother wished for them to have the best art education possible so they were enrolled in the Valencia School of Arts and Crafts.
Soon afterward the brothers built a kiln at their parents' home and began creating classical figurines, candelabras, and porcelain flowers. As they became more successful, they began selling their first creations at a local market. The brothers dreamed of creating the finest porcelain that could be found in Spain. Unfortunately their small kiln made it difficult to achieve temperatures that were hot enough to make porcelain of the highest quality. Undeterred they borrowed the necessary funds from a friend and built a kiln that generated enough heat to meet their needs. This was the beginning of the Lladro company.
By 1958 ever increasing business had dictated that the brothers expand to larger quarters. They moved from their small family workshop in Almacera to a factory in the nearby town of Tavernes Blanques. Throughout the 1960's Lladro continued to grow as more people started collecting their beautifully distinctive figurines.
In 1986 the brothers established the Lladro Collectors Society and released their first Collectors Society piece entitled "Little Pals." It proved to be extremely popular and they have continued the tradition by releasing a collector's society piece each following year. The Collectors Society pieces are not sold on the retail market, they are only offered to society members which adds to their rarity.
To this day Lladro remains a family owned business and a preeminent presence in the world of fine porcelain art and collectibles. The company is now run by the Lladro Permanent Council which is comprised of the Lladro brothers, their children, and the senior staff of Lladro Porcelain. By keeping family ties strong within the business they have ensured that the Lladro legacy will live on for many years to come.
Today, ceramic figurines are still a popular choice for collectors around the world. Unfortunately, their fragile appendages are often lost and broken over time. This article will explore the restoration of antique and modern pieces, including their history, materials and how to best care for them at home.
Throughout ancient history there are various figurative forms, from the Ushabti of Egyptian tombs to the Tanagra sculptures of Hellenistic Greece. The ancient Greeks saw the first mass production of figurines, with small terracotta statues being crafted for decorative and divine purposes. Later, the Roman Empire preferred the use of bronze in their statuary.
The Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang is a famous example of early figurine craftsmanship. The Terracotta Army is funerary artwork, the collection of over 8000 sculptures was designed to be buried with the emperor, protecting him in the afterlife. Similarly, collectible terracotta figurines from the Tang dynasty were created to be grave companions, aiding deceased as servants, courtesans and entertainers.
The earliest form of porcelain figurines are Ming dynasty Dehua from China, these entirely white pieces were known as Blanc de Chine in Europe. The beginnings of porcelain manufactory in the west started with Meissen, who held the original arcanum for the European process.
This saw a boom in the popularity of decorative porcelain, as endless amounts of items could now be produced without the need for expensive and lengthy shipping from Asia. Meissen figurines, like many others from this period, have a range of subject matters. Some of the most popular include costumed performers, mythological gods or goddesses, and pastoral characters.
In the mid 19th century, commercial production of figurines began to open up what was once an exclusive decorative art to those outside of the aristocracy. Figurines flourished in Victorian homes as a symbol of good taste and sufficient wealth. By the end of the era, figurines could be found in the homes of all social classes.
In the 20th century, a collectors market began to grow as enthusiasts began to seek out antiques and determine the high values we see in auction rooms today. Modern figurines were also popular, especially in the art deco movement that had a focus on the female form combined with ivory and brushed metal.
Due to the success of the film industry in the 1930s, figurines of actors, actresses and characters began to be produced. Early examples include statuettes of Shirley Temple, Mickey Mouse and Snow White. By the 1980s, figurine sales were a staple of movie memorabilia thanks to the Star Wars franchise. Today, movie figurines are not limited to plastic toys but a whole range of materials, from traditional porcelain to contemporary resins.
Porcelain figurines should be kept behind glass if they have great monetary or sentimental value. This precaution will avoid any disturbances from dust or atmospheric particles and help to prevent accidental knocks and falls. Whether or not an item is in a protective casing, it should always have a felt, leather or soft fabric mat placed beneath it to absorb any shaking from footsteps or vibrations.
Avoid direct sunlight or humid conditions, we recommend an atmosphere with a steady temperature of around 20 degrees and a relative humidity of around 50%. UV rays from sunlight will cause temperature fluctuations and in some cases, especially when the painted details are over-glaze, chemical reactions or fading may occur.
If you have very sensitive pieces, consider placing UV protective filters on windows or glass casings. If you would like to use an antique vase for display with fresh flowers, consider using a separate container for water within the body of the object, to ensure nothing touches the delicate surface.
Cleaning should only be undertaken when entirely necessary, if an item is stained or heavily soiled by dirt or debris, it may be a task for a conservator to prevent any damage from occurring. Light dusting can be performed with a lint-free cloth, but any abrasive sponges or harsh chemicals should be avoided. If a porcelain piece has over-glaze painting or gilding, take care not to rub these areas, as they have no protective layer.
Our professional ceramics conservator is able to restore porcelain with near-invisible results. This includes the reconstruction of broken pieces with seamless joins and even the recreation of missing parts where required.
If the item has a breakage or missing area, ceramic restoration has several stages. Firstly the item is gently surface-cleaned and weak points are assessed. Any broken edges are prepared for the re-adhesion of original parts or replica pieces. These are applied using conservation-approved solutions that will not yellow or damage the item over time, as a traditional glue would.
If there are any areas of lost glazing or pigment, our conservator can carefully colour-match and recreate the original appearance. All of these aspects take place over many days as the areas are professionally prepped and allowed to dry. The result is often amazing to our clients, as the original breakage is hard to find due to the perfect finish.
If a porcelain piece is stained or embedded with dust and grime, our conservator can use a customised solution that is the correct strength for the surface of the piece (as not to disturb any original paintwork or gilding). Using small swabs, all areas can be cleaned and the result will be a bright, original surface. This type of work is often conducted following a household disaster, such as a fire, leak or flood, where harmful contaminants may be clinging to the surface.
Whilst a breakage of any kind may affect the value of figurines, restoration conducted to a professional standard will allow the piece to gain a higher value at auction when compared to results for a figurine or tableware item that has missing parts or severe visual disturbances.
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