Lladro figurines are certainly admired and collected by many enthusiasts all over the world. But, some collectors I know tend to view them as a little too ‘modern’ and doubt whether they will hold their value. So are they really worth collecting?

If you are unfamiliar with the Lladro range then they are finely crafted items of porcelain originating from Spain. Founded in 1953 and situated near Valencia, the company was founded by three brothers who began creating their products originally from a home workshop. Their popularity has increased enormously over that time and sales are now worldwide.

Many fine china collectors comment that the main essence of Lladro figurines is their innovation in design, freshness of colouring and often a depiction of the finer human qualities, especially portrayed by their figurines.

Lladro are manufactured from hard-paste porcelain which has its own unique texture. The company tends to introduce several new pieces annually whilst also maintaining its historical Lladro catalogue. Like all porcelain, care needs to be taken when displayed to prevent breakages

For a collector of Lladro, it is possible to begin by focusing on a particular theme.

For example, some might decide to begin their collection with figurines of children, dancers or perhaps animals. Pieces can be found second hand at auctions and estate sales. It seems that many people do not fully appreciate the value of Lladro and bargains can be unearthed if you keep your eyes open. Obviously, buying retail means that you will pay the highest prices.

If you are a lover of Lladro, then you should prepare yourself for the occasional disappointment as some items are only produced as limited editions. This, of course, increases demand – and prices – and is an established marketing technique used by many ceramics manufacturers.

As a special gift, Lladro can be quite expensive to buy and some believe that it is definitely over priced. Many figurine collectors would prefer to spend their money or more traditional antique china figurines rather than choose the relatively modern Lladro alternative.

Of course, you should always thoroughly examine a fine china item before you decide to buy. Fakes can be very convincing. In the case of Lladro, a serial number and the company logo should be present on the bottom of every genuine Lladro creation. Also, to further aid identification, every Lladro figurine is catalogued on the company website.

But if you still have a doubt you can also contact the company via email for a free authentication. Alternatively, you could visit your local Lladro store and have your figurine assessed by local appraisers.

Personally, I am not a great fan of Lladro and some of my collector friends are not impressed with the standard of modelling. They do not believe that it will stand the test of time and be viewed as a ceramic antique of the future. But, it has its distinctive style, quality of manufacture and a strong army of collectors.

Again, it is all a matter of taste.

REMEMBER: Whatever your preference for china figurines, a good place to start looking for items is TIAS. Reputable dealers worldwide showcase their antiques and collectibles on this established site and quality items can be purchased at very reasonable prices. It is also a fantastic place to look for gift ideas and you can sign up for their very informative newsletter. Use the search box below to find your item of interest.