Lladró figurines are known for their exquisite design, delicate details and stunning pastel colors. But where did the company get its start, and what inspired such elegant figurines? Are Lladró figurines still made today? Keep scrolling for the answers to these questions and much more. 

In 1953 Juan, Jose and Vincente Lladró founded the Lladró company in Almássera Spain. Their passion for porcelain began with their mother Rosa. She enrolled them at the Valencia School of Arts as young boys, and their passion only grew.

In the beginning, their art was sold at local markets and stood out because of its precision and detail. As the company grew, it’s style became more refined and in the 1960’s it often resembled 18^th century Capodimonte porcelain. In addition to their style becoming better defined, during these early years the brothers played with designs, making them increasingly more complex and dynamic.

Juan Jose and Vincente had a vision to create softer, more gentle colors than what was currently produced using a double firing method. At the time, figurines were fired in a kiln once to dry the clay, then painted and fired again to cement the glaze. In order to turn their dream into a reality, the brothers explored higher firing and higher temperatures. Eventually they created a new, single firing method that produced the soft colors Lladró figurines are known for.

The creation of this method was not the end of their kiln experimentation. Lladró artisans spent years studying firing times, methods, and temperatures for each piece. For larger pieces such as Cinderella’s Arrival, it could take hours just to place the figurine in the kiln. While this experimenting was ongoing, the Lladró company also established a professional artisain training school. This ensured the company had quality artists to craft their porcelain. All this hard work paid off. Their intricate designs, combined with their unique firing methods and colors helped to establish the Lladró brand and set them apart from their competitors. 

In 1965 the brothers decided to expand their line and begin selling in the American Market. It was a risky move, but it too paid off. By the 1970’s Lladró had gained international recognition. This recognition didn’t keep them from innovating and experimenting, and in 1971 they introduced their Gres figurines. This collection is made with a different material and gives the pieces a darker, more earthy tone.

In 1985 the Lladró Collectors Society was founded and it grew to more than 100,000 collectors around the world. The 1980’s & 1990’s brought other significant achievements for the company, including opening a museum and gallery in New York City, it’s further expansion into China, Japan and Russia, and the introduction of it’s matte figurines. These figurines lack the glossy finish of their glazed counterparts and evoke a flatter, but equally elegant beauty. 

With the beginning of a new millennium in 2000 Lladró continued to innovate and discover new paths. They launched the High Porcelain Collection featuring the most vivid colors and intricate designs yet. This collection is still made today and the prices range from $6,000 to over $250,000. The Carnival in Venice Sculpture is a current piece in this collection. It is a limited edition with only 100 pieces made and was sculpted by Jose Santaeulalia. It stands nearly 3 feet tall, by 5 feet wide, and will only set you back, $254,980 😂 While these pieces are not in my budget, they certainly are fun to view!

Over the past 20 years, Lladró has remained relevant by expanding and evolving their product line. They now sell modern sculptures, jewelry and even light fixtures. They’ve also modernized their art by using gold, black and white colors to establish a high-end tone with their pieces. 

The Lladró Companies history of innovation and quality craftsmanship leave no doubt that they have a bright future, even in this ever-changing world. If you’re a Lladró fan, you may be wondering why I haven’t discussed one of their most well-known attributes, the flowers. Don’t worry, I’ll be diving deep into the flowers they use and the symbolism behind them next week. Be sure to check back for more!

Much Love,