The Story of Lladro Figurines
José, Vicente and Juan Lladro began making their first pieces in a Moorish furnace from their home in Valencia in 1953. The three develop their artistic interests while working in a crockery and tile factory. These creations were an experimental venture, but due to the charm of these beautifully handcrafted pieces, the public was awakened.
By the year 1955, they had begun making sculptures exhibiting a definitive influence of trends from the XVIII century. These pieces were reminiscent of works done by former porcelain artists Capodimonte, Meissen and Sèvres.
José, Vicente and Juan decided to devote themselves entirely to their own creative works in 1958. At this time, they decided to transfer their company to one of the warehouses in the nearby town of Tavernes Blanques. The family workshop was now too small for their developing business.
The demand for their creations suddenly began to grow. The brothers introduced innovations in the style and design of their figurines and in the firing techniques used to permanently set the figures shapes. The brothers had reduced the firing method from a three-layer processing to a one-layer process. The one-firing method is what produces the pastel tones and crystalline finishes that are typical of Lladro figurines.
With their growing number of decorators, chemists and sculptors, the brothers’ work production increased. They decide to include a logo on their figurines. Next to ‘Porcelanas Lladro’, is added a Greek masterpiece, the Victory of Samotracia. This associates their surname to the epitome of classical art. By the completion of that decade, the brothers open their first store in Valencia and then two more within the next few years.
From the very beginning, the brothers have been adding new designs to their extensive body of work every year. Today, Lladro figurines have become quite valuable, which makes collecting them that much more appealing.
For those individuals interested in purchasing a limited addition Lladro figurine, joining their Gold Club should be considered.
Members have the benefit of purchasing the limited edition sculptures at special introductory prices. Members can check the actual retail price of the Lladro figurine in their country and then reserve the piece immediately.
These limited edition pieces are available to Gold members at the reduced price until they sell out or after the allotted exclusivity period has ended. Once this period has ended, if any pieces remain, they will be offered to the public. These pieces will be incorporated into the catalog at a higher price than was given to the Gold members.
