The History of Lladro

At CollectorsLine, we carry only the finest collectible figurines. We are delighted to present the beautiful Nao by Lladro line made from the most excellent Spanish porcelain.

Lladro porcelain figurines are world-renowned for their intricate beauty. They are cherished by professional and beginning collectors alike for their warm charm and the quality of their craftsmanship. In addition to the value of the countless hours that skilled artists devote to each figurine, the worth of Lladro porcelain is multiplied by its immense and rich history.

Porcelain first appeared in China as early as the Tang dynasty, at the end of the sixth century. Because of its beautiful and functional nature, it eventually spread across the world and became a luxury art object for European aristocrats. The Portuguese used it for coins, and even Marco Polo was a fan of this beautiful and delicate material. European royalty devoted entire rooms to their vast porcelain collections, and some wealthy families adopted the habit of taking tea or coffee from artfully crafted porcelain dishes.

Because porcelain grew increasingly valuable, the Chinese wanted to keep the formula for creating this magical ceramic a secret, so Europeans began trying to make it themselves. A German chemist, Johann Friedrich Böttger, finally succeeded in producing a hard-paste porcelain similar to that of China, and multiple French and German factories began producing intricate porcelain treasures and continued to do so over the centuries. But as these older porcelain manufacturers faded away, new porcelain manufacturers sprang up to take their place, bringing their own unique methods and creating traditions of craftsmanship that still thrive today.

One of the most respected and highly skilled producers of porcelain originated from this rich tradition in Spain in the 1950s. Juan, José, and Vicente Lladro, three talented and hardworking brothers from a small town called Almácera, near Valencia, were struggling as ceramics factory workers and searching for a way to support themselves and their family. Seeking a way to use their natural artistic talent while earning money, the brothers began taking classes in their spare time at a nearby School of Arts and Trades. The two eldest, Juan and José, studied drawing and painting, while Vicente learned the fine art of sculpture. Soon the brothers built a kiln in the backyard of their parents’ house, and began sculpting, glazing, and firing beautiful handcrafted functional porcelain ceramics, like vases, plates, and ashtrays, as well as porcelain flowers. They also began experimenting with the small decorative figurines for which they would soon become famous.

In the tradition of the Chinese, the Lladro brothers created their own secret porcelain paste mixture, drawing upon and refining the ancient techniques they had learned through their studies and work. News of their elegant and unique artistry soon spread and in 1958 the brothers quit their factory jobs and moved their workshop from their parents’ home to a factory in the nearby city of Tavernes Blanques, where they began focusing solely on their intricate figurines.

Since then, the Lladro name has become synonymous with graceful beauty and quality craftsmanship. Because of the ever-increasing popularity of their porcelain sculptures, the brothers opened their Professional Training School in 1960 to instruct others in the ways of their trade, and the company began shipping to North America in 1965. Since then, the Lladro figurines have become legendary worldwide, with over 2,000 skilled artists working at the factory and almost 4,000 authorized Lladro dealers worldwide. Each Lladro figurine truly represents a history of excellence.

CollectorsLine is pleased to offer a beautiful selection of Nao by Lladro collectible figurines that will delight any collector! Visit our eBay Store, CollectorsLine, for great service and selection!