LLado & Nao

 THE STORY OF LLADRO

Lladro porcelain is probably one of the most well known exports of Spain and I thought you might like to know a little more about it.

Lladro was born in very humble surroundings in the mid 1950’s in a small family workshop at Almácera in Spain, quite close to the city of Valencia on the eastern Mediterranean coast. The family were a farming family but the brothers José, Juan and Vicente became interested in the making of ceramics. When friends and other members of their family complimented them on their results the brothers got talking about the future possibilities of earning a living in this way rather than the often unrewarding future that farming could offer. They enrolled in the Valencia school of Arts and Crafts where the brothers followed their talents. Juan and José studied drawing and painting whilst the youngest brother, Vicente, took up sculpture.

Once they had developed sufficiently and in order to put their new skills to the test, they built a small Moorish style kiln on the patio of their parents home. As the quality of their work became increasingly successful they decided it was time to test the market. They manufactured and sold their first ceramic flowers in their local market place, which gave them the confidence to design and produce their own figurines in porcelain.

Soon they outgrew the small workshop at the family home and in 1958 moved to much larger premises in the nearby town of Tavernes Blanques. In 1960 they already needed more space because of strong growth, so strong that they enlarged their studios a further six times in the following nine years. Then in 1969 they laid the foundations of what was known as Porcelain City, the home of all the Lladro products today. Since then Lladro has continued to spread its popularity throughout the world and today with over two thousand staff they market their creations in over one hundred countries all over the world.

Lladro still uses the same artistic techniques to make porcelain as was used in the classic 18^th century European styles and reaching back to China’s millennium heritage, which has given us some of the most delicate works of art in history. Perhaps China’s greatest gift to the world was the way it combined simple clay with some “secret ingredients” which served to create a material, which was both beautiful and practical, now known as porcelain. This material first appeared during the Tang dynasty (618-906).

Marco Polo's seventeen year stay in China in the 11^th century had a great impact on European culture and when he returned his influence encouraged European aristocrats to purchase and collect porcelain objets d’arts, which became an obsession amongst them. European royalty viewed porcelain as a highly desirable luxury product. This inevitably increased demand but ironically occurred at a time when the manufacture of Imperial porcelain in China was becoming problematic. Product costs were soaring, pilferage rife and materials were in short supply. The Chinese being reluctant to divulge their secrets only drove manufacturers in Vienna, Venice and some other European cities to start experimenting on their own which lead them to creating European porcelain.

The Lladro brothers revisited the history of porcelain manufacturing, creating their own formula for porcelain paste and refining their manufacturing techniques on all fronts; pigments, moulds, varnishes and firing times, resulting in pieces that not only incorporate great beauty but also emphasize quality of the highest kind.

The process of creation: Every Lladro piece of work is the result of a laborious artistic process. Sculptors follow their own inspiration but also perform a meticulous process of research and documentation. This is often the case with pieces or collections that reflect other cultures. It starts when the sculptor makes the first sketch of the figure in clay, which is examined by the Creativity Committee, made up by many members, one of which will be from the Lladro family itself.

The Decoration: Once the figure is reconstructed the decoration process starts. In compliance with the sculptor’s instructions, it is carved with delicate motifs that will give its final appearance.

The test of fire: Finally the sculpture is put to the test of fire. It remains for approximately 24 hours in a kiln at over 1300° C. Porcelain vitrifies, varnish crystallises and Lladro’s true colours, which have so far been hidden as they are painted under glaze, come to the surface

Ever since the three founders decided to pool their talents the relationship they have maintained with their collaborators has been very close and very fruitful. The Lladro brothers have guided the steps of many talented people who have joined the staff. Everyone shares the same sources of inspiration, the same artistic concerns, the same means of expression. Lladro creations are created by consummate artists, draftsmen and sculptors who apply their extraordinary powers of imagination, sensitivity and technical mastery at each step of the way. With their concern for excellence in workmanship they continue to search for new themes and creative challenges, both modern and classical, every single day. 

A word of advice, the tulip on Lladro is actually a Bellflower, which is the symbol for Valencia where Lladro is made. If this is missing or ground off, it’s probably a “second”.

Now let's tackle the subject of NAO, correctly pronounced NOW.  Is this Lladro??  Decidedly NOT.  The two factories, although under the same umbrella, are separate and quite distinct, although modern Nao pieces do state "NAO BY LLADRO", hence the umbrella!

Another myth to quell instantly is that these pieces are not made by Lladro apprentices, despite what others and even television programmes may tell you.   Nao pieces are moulded, generally in one piece.  Lladro have each part moulded and then assembled by hand by a Lladro Artisan and are therefore quite individual, often there are slight differences between two of the same model, position of arm, hand, leg, angle of head and so on.  Highly skilled mainly female personnel carry out the painting and because no two artists paint the same each piece will be different, which is why it is said that no two Lladro sculptures are the same. The same clay, paint and glaze is used on both products.

Nao is a range introduced to be 1) completely separate, 2) to be a lot cheaper and therefore not as detailed as the true Lladro pieces and 3) to offer these pieces to a completely different set of collectors to the Lladro range.   Here we must take a little care, as a few early Lladro pieces were produced and marketed under the Nao banner, but this was before the advent of the Nao "ship" back stamp, Nao being the old Spanish name for a type of galleon.   Please be assured that Nao pieces whilst having their own merit do not increase in value as do Lladro retired pieces.

Lladro Assurance: Lladro insures your sculpture at no charge from the time of purchase and forever provided you register your Lladro piece within one month of purchase. In the event of a breakage you can buy your article again provided it is in the current catalogue and in stock, or another one at the same price or lower from any authorised Lladro Dealer with a 33% discount. This does not cover theft or loss as the damaged piece must be returned.

See our range of LLadro online with new pieces added frequently. Please allow up to 3 weeks for delivery for some piece as if out of stock will be sent to us from Spain. If you want to check each item's delivery time. Email us at enquiries@alistairblack.co.uk