Lladros Porcelain Figurines

The characteristic and unmistakable elegance of Lladro figurines relate, from an art historical standpoint, to the elongated figures of the Mannerist period in Spanish art history, circa 1515-1600.  The Spanish master El Greco was a Mannerist.

The Mannerist artists produced painted works of art featuring figures with elegant and elongated body forms. Lengthy necklines, expressive arms, and long graceful legs were all typical of the Spanish Mannerist style and in the collectible Lladro figurines, this tradition is continued in the figurines marketed today..

Lladro values have skyrocketed over the past few years. Of course, in locales from Spain to 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. Of course, at this level, the
larger your Lladro collection, the greater the need for an appraisal and insurance coverage.  This is an area we are derelict.  My wife is a collector and we have no idea of the value of her collection.

Lladro pieces have a distinct form and color typically produced in soft blue, gray, off-white, and pink tones. Many of the Lladro figurines have young girls holding baskets of flowers. 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 flower from the local Valencian region known as the bellflower. This flower is incorporated as both a tribute to nature, the mother of clay, and to the region of Spain where Lladré was born. The finishing touch to this corporate logo is the Lladro name printed below the art-science symbol.  Each year, Lladro offers a Christmas bell for their collectors.

When caring for Lladro figurines, you must take their fragility into consideration. It is the delicacy and the firm's attention to detail which makes these pieces so special, valuable, and revered. The details on these figurines are very delicate fragile.  When cleaning or dusting them, time and patience are crucial.

Don't submerge the pieces in soapy water as they will become slippery and may break when handled. Use care when removing surface dust. It is best to be diligent about removing surface dirt or dust from these exquisite works of art. It is best to remove even the small amounts of dust from your Lladro every week or so rather than to let dirt or dust build up on your collectible. If you keep after the piece, the dirt and dust will not present a major issue.

If you are cleaning your fragile Lladro figurines, be sure to sit down at a table and clean. Don't stand up, try to balance or hold the object in your hand, and clean the piece. This is a recipe for disaster. The quality of Lladro porcelain figurines is evident in its weight. Some are quite heavy and may be dropped or slip from your hand.

Take your time, don't allow yourself to be distracted, and clean slowly using soft, white cotton cloths, dry cotton swabs, and dry sable hair paint brushes. Don't use any commercial cleansers or soapy water. Slow and steady will keep these pieces in good condition for the long term. Remember, these are valuable and beautiful works of art.

If you display your Lladro figure in a curio cabinet or china closet, be sure to open the doors regularly and let some of the heat escape. Lladro figurines need fresh, cool air just as you do. Some glass display cabinets retain heat and this heat will damage your Lladros and all of your collectibles for that matter. It's a good idea to open display cases every month or so.