Lladro Figurines: History, Values & Where to Buy Them

The name Lladró often recalls elegant and graceful characters made of glazed porcelain decorated in pastel blue, white, or other muted tones. Many of these figurines, each having its own name, made their way into homes from the 1960s through the 1990s as collectibles.

Since then, Lladró has produced matte white porcelain, modern art pieces, and figurines highlighting world cultures, among other striking designs. Learning more about the history and values of different types of Lladró figurines can help with both selling and buying these unique pieces of decorative art.

Lladró "New Horizons" figurine from the Inspiration Millenium Collection

History of the Lladró Figurine 

The business was started by three brothers residing in Valencia, Spain, in 1953. These ceramicists – Juan, José, and Vincente Lladró – found their inspiration studying the work of other European porcelain factories, including Meissen and Capodimonte. They started making plates and vases as well as figurines. Many of the techniques used by these brothers decades ago are still employed for making Lladró pieces today.

Some of the company’s milestones include:

1950s and ‘60s – By the end of the 1950s, Lladró opened its first store in Valencia. The brothers also began using a method for single firing their porcelain that improved their manufacturing process and gave their porcelain its signature look featuring pastel hues. They also added a facility for training porcelain artisans, which helped them offer their wares to consumers in the United States for the first time in 1965. A new facility, which is still used today, was established in 1969.

1970s and ‘80s – Limited edition pieces were first introduced in the 1970s. Special collections were added to the company’s lines in the 1980s. The Lladró Collectors Society was also founded in 1985 and remained active through 2000. The company continued to expand internationally and opened a gallery in New York City.

1990s – The complexity of Lladró porcelain compositions grew to include floral designs during this period. In 1991, the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, hosted a Lladró exhibition. More galleries were opened globally, and the company won two Principe Felipe prizes for business excellence.

2000s – Lladró introduced matte white porcelain and pieces decorated with more vivid coloring in the early 2000s. Several designer collaborations took place during this period as well. The business continued to expand and garner recognition for their brand management through the 2010s. In 2017, the business became part of PHI Industrial Group, according to the Lladró website. 

"Llega el Circo" collection of figurines sold for $2,500 on AuctionNinja in 2020

The Most Valuable Lladró FIgurines

While most Lladró figurines will bring far less, there are some exceptional examples worth tens of thousands. These tend to be large and elaborate designs made in limited quantities, as noted in the 10 Rarest And Most Valuable Lladro Figurines: Value Guide.

The most valuable on the list is an extravagant train scene measuring over 53” long called “A Grand Adventure.” Examples sold privately for more than $130,000 in 2011 and for $64,000 at auction the year it was introduced in 2002 (in comparison to its initial $47,000 list price). Two amazing horse-drawn coach designs – “18^th Century Coach” and “Cinderella’s Arrival” – are listed as selling for $57,200 each. All these highly valued pieces were created by dozens of artisans logging hundreds of hours to complete them.

Values for the remaining high-dollar examples on the list range from $18,800 for “Summertime Symphony” down to $1,800 for “Puppy Dog Tails,” both of which are also very detailed designs. Most Lladró figurines won’t bring these high values, but it’s good to know they exist in case you run across one. Also, keep in mind that prices for collectibles fluctuate, so even rarities may go up or down in value as decades pass and demand changes. 

"Japanese Sayonara" figurine by Lladró

Tips for Verifying Authenticity and Quality

One of the first things to remember when authenticating figurines made by this company is that there were many lookalikes produced during the 1980s and ‘90s. They have the familiar blue collectors recognize as Lladró, but upon closer inspection, the quality is not up to par. Some of these imposters are also unmarked.

Other things to keep in mind when evaluating Lladró pieces are:

Looking for genuine marks. Lladró marks, which appear on the bottom of each piece, changed over the years. The oldest marks on Lladró pieces have the name incised by hand. From 1960 through 1970, the name was stamped into the ceramic material. In the 1970s, the more familiar mark with the brand’s bellflower logo took shape in very dark blue ink. The color eventually became a brighter blue. The marks changed subtly until 1990 but have kept the same basic attributes since then. A good reference for seeing the minor changes in Lladró marks is found on Antique HQ.

Watching for “seconds.” If you run across what you know to be a genuine Lladró design and it is not marked on the bottom, it is likely a “second.” That means it has a manufacturing flaw somewhere on the piece and is not as high in quality or valuable as other marked figurines.

Checking the database. Another useful resource for authenticating and dating porcelain made by this company is using the Lladro Database. The instructions for authentication are the same as those used for valuing, as noted below.

Lladró figurine titled "Garden of Dreams" 

How to Value Lladró Figurines

The bigger and more detailed a Lladró is, the higher the value. This is the rule rather than the exception. The type of figurines collectors run across most frequently, however, are less intricate designs selling in the $25 to $300 range. The easiest way to determine value is by entering pertinent information into the Lladro Database.

To use the database, look for a four-digit number on the base of your figurine. It may be incised into the ceramic material. If the number has eight digits, use only the last four. Simply enter the product number into the database and hit submit to get the results. The result will yield a picture of the item, selling prices, the name of the example, when it was produced, and other key details.

If you can’t find your figurine in the database, searching online auction results can be the next step in your valuation research. Just make sure you’re searching sold listings rather than looking at asking prices to get the most accurate range. You can also consider using a paid service like Worthpoint.com that pulls information from various auction resources if you have several items to research.

Some factors that can impact the value of a Lladró figurine include:

Figural groupings. Some individual Lladró figurines were originally sold as part of groups, such as nativity scenes and sets of characters from Don Quixote. These tend to be valued higher in a complete set than when sold piece by piece.

Retired designs. Just because a design is retired doesn’t make it instantly valuable. Retired designs are divided into two categories when it comes to Lladró: early handmade figurines and those produced later in higher volumes. Demand, and the number of items available to fill that demand, are more important than limited edition labeling.

Lladró "Little Friskies" figurine with original box

Items new in box (NIB). Having the original box and packaging usually adds value to collectible items like these when in good condition. If the item has never been removed from the box (NRFB), that’s even better. 

Limited editions. These are basically items that were made in a limited quantity. This can mean five were made or 5,000. It only really impacts the value when there is high demand for a design. In other words, being a limited edition doesn’t inherently make something more valuable, including a Lladró figurine.

Nao by Lladró designs. While Nao is a Lladró brand, the pieces with this labeling are valued lower than those marked Lladró in many instances. They do have a similar look, though, which offers a “get the look for less” opportunity when secondhand shopping.

A grouping of Nao by Lladró figurines

Where You Can Buy Lladrós

As with many collectibles, online auctions offer great selections when it comes to vintage figurines. This includes estate sale auctions offered online by AuctionNinja.

Worried about the condition of delicate porcelain? That’s where the detailed photos accompanying online auctions really come in handy. Examining them for known flaws like chips on delicate hands or flowers can ease your mind. You can also contact sellers to ask important questions about condition before placing a bid. Inquiring about packing and shipping methods can also be a concern to address before bidding on a piece of porcelain.

If you prefer examining wares like this in person, especially before investing in a high-dollar acquisition, AuctionNinja also offers listings of estate sales taking place across the United States. In fact, more and more Lladró examples originally collected in the 1980s and ‘90s are showing up in estate sales these days, so they’re a best-bet source.

You may also run across Lladró selections in charity thrift shops and antique malls, too. Visit your local favorites regularly and ask to be personally notified if new items of interest are added to their inventories.

Looking to add a lovely Lladró to your collection now? Take a look at all the Porcelain and Fine China selections offered by sellers on AuctionNinja.com.

 

 

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