Lladro 21st Century

Lladró welcomes the 21st Century with the collection "Inspiration Millennium", a series of symbolic sculptures that suggest the best of humanity and invite us to mirror our place in the universe. In 2001, the Lladró Collectors Society gave way to Lladró Privilege, a ground-breaking customer devotion program which integrates an up-to-date service concept based on a closer and more special treatment toward lovers of Lladró porcelain figurines.

After 50 years at the head of the company, one of the most crucial moments in this period was when the three founding brothers turned over their control to the second Lladró generation, and became part of the new Board of Directors in 2003.

The first 5 years is marked by Lladró's opening of an inventive visual line which coexists with its classics. Hence, collections like "Movement", "Aura", and "Humanitas" are born. The brand also launches pieces that combine magnificence with functionality, in which the porcelain gives a personal importance to everyday life. "The Emperor's table" is a fine example of this porcelain importance as well as one of its most recent launchings, Lladró Bath. This new line, created in cooperation with the company Supergrif, is Lladró's first venture in the bathing department.

In 2005, Lladro announces the Re-Cyclos project, where they re-invent their already classical figurines. In its first edition, the imaginative team CuldeSac creates original crowns and geodes out of Christmas ornaments while Bodo Sperlein produced items of jewelry and ornamentation in Lladró Re-Cyclos Magical. Designer Jaime Hayón is introduced as Artistic Director of Lladró in 2006.

In 2005, the company proudly presents themselves as the sponsor of the China Team; which is the first Chinese sailing team to participate in the 32nd America´s Cup which takes place in the city of Valencia.

In 2006, Lladró obtained 100% of the capital and control of the luxury jewelry firm Carrera y Carrera, a firm in which they held shares

Lladro 90's

The 1990's authenticate the brilliant success of the inventive and proficient career of the Lladró brothers, with their works of art receiving prestigious awards and being displayed in several cities throughout the world.

In this decade, Lladró receives the most significant acknowledgments to its skilled career: the Príncipe Felipe Award for Internationalization (1993), for Competitiveness (1997) and for Renown Brand Management (2001), three awards given to the Lladró brothers by the Prince of Asturias which represent a high point for the company.

The Hermitage Museum of Saint Petersburg, considered to be an art point of reference in the world, became the setting of an exhibition of Lladró sculptures from which the pieces 18th century coach and Don Quixote became part of the permanent exhibition. Lladró later exhibits a selection of its symbolic pieces in the Valencia Pavilion in the Universal Show of Seville, as well as in the Museum of Modern Art of Santo Domingo.

During this time, Lladró continues to expand in some of the world's most significant cities. In 1996, the first Lladró owned store opened in Madrid, located exclusively on Serrano street, and a year later opened at the Lladró Center in Beverly Hills, a valiant and stylish building at 408 North Rodeo Drive.

By the end of the 1990's the luxury collection "Legend" was born. This collection combined the fragile and transparent texture of porcelain with the polish of gold and precious stones. A series of imaginary creatures, fairies, elves, and little angels were born as a new technical challenge and a new form of expression for Lladró artists.

Lladro 80's

In the 1980's, three new Lladros were introduced to the company that would be the future of the company. Although this time, they weren't figurines, but heirs to Lladro. Three of the Lladro children, Rosa, Mamen, and Juan Vicente Lladro were welcomed onto the Board of Directors. Of course, before assuming responsibility, they had to undergo a long apprenticeship.

In addition to adding new members, Lladro also grew immensely in several countries where their figurines are very much admired. The company signed a joint-venture agreement with a figurine dealer in Japan called the Mitsui group in 1986, and, as a result of this collaboration, the subsidiary in this country was born, followed by China, Australia, United States, and the United Kingdom. On September 18th (same year), the Lladró Museum opened in New York. It is located on 57th street in Manhattan.

In 1982, Lladro decides to get creative and introduces a milestone piece, Flowers of the Season. This piece is composed of hundreds of flowers that express elegance and beauty with an enormous artistic value. Flowers have a special meaning to Lladro since their logo is the "campanillo" and their creations require delicate, expert hands. For this one activity in particular, a group of artists are needed pay thorough attention to detail, making each piece, petal by petal.

The Lladró Collectors Society was created in 1985, which for over fifteen years, brings together more than one hundred thousand lovers of art in fine porcelain all over the world. Their first annual sculpture was Little Pals.

Lladro70's

The 1970's mark the consolidation of Lladro figurines in the American Markert. Due to the desire to establish an association between art and science, the basis of creation in porcelain, the logo was changed to the "campanillo", a typical bell-shaped flower of the area where Lladró was born, with the Lladro surname under the image.

This decade launched the new Gres line for Lladro. Gres is a special porcelain formula characterized by matte, usually earthen-toned colors and having portions colored with enamel paints. The earthen-toned colors and the matte skin surfaces, which are typically also done in darker colors, make this formula especially well suited to the depiction of ethnic themes.

In addition to these already marvelous accomplishments in one decade, also in the seventies, the vase line is born. The vase line enabled Lladró painters to reflect their artistic talent in the recreation of bird and flower patterns inspired by the orient. In 1974, the first sculptures of the Élite collection were created, bringing about more technically complex sculptures, generally large creations highly considered by the Lladró brothers.

Lladro 60's

The 1960's growing momentum for Lladró, result from two major essentials. One of them is the progressive internationalization of their porcelain figurines which was discovered by a group of Americans that came to Valencia in search of new creations to introduce to their country. The first sculpture that captured the attention of these Americans was a small shepherdess, already made available with the classic traits of the brand.

At this time, the word "Spain" is built-in to Lladró's logo as a clear marker of the company's exporting craft. In 1965, Lladró branches out, and sends a fraction of their figurines to Canada and begins to introduce their wonderful works of arts to the United States, where the brothers traveled for the first time in 1969.

The other highlight in their marvelous expansion happened in 1962, when the Professional Training School was introduced in order to help captivate the spirit and passion that went into these Lladro figurines.

In 1967 they began working on building the City of Porcelain. This is where the employees had their factory and offices. There was also an area where there was time for leisure and sport activities. This innovative complex opened on October 13, 1969. Around that same time, the Lladró brothers lead the way in employing workers with disabilities, showing their concern for nurturing social and labor integration.

Sad Harlequin (1969) represents a major turning point in the brothers' artistic development. The stylized lines and the romantic air of the figurine characterize Lladró's style which is appreciated throughout the world.

Lladro 50's

Lladro's conception was formed in 1953 by three brothers with the dream of making the most captivating porcelain figurines. Juan, Jose, and Vicente Lladro made their first designs inspired by an experimental occupation in a Moorish furnace built in their home in Valencia. There, they expanded their creative ability while they worked in a factory building tile and crockery. These strategically crafted works of art have an exceptional appeal that liven the attention of its admirers! In 1955 they began making masterpieces which clearly were influenced by 18th century styles. These pieces suggest the works of previous artists of porcelain such as Meissen, Sèvres and, Capodimonte.

In 1958 Juan, José and Vicente decided to devote themselves wholly to their own crafts and transfer their small company to a warehouse in the neighboring town of Tavernes Blanques. They had to relocate because their family workshop had become too small for their business and demands for Lladró figurines grew rapidly and unexpectedly. The brothers initiated new design techniques on their actual craft and style and also in their firing techniques, reducing the three-layer firing process to a one-layer process. One-firing is a ground-breaking process which creates the crystalline finish and the pastel tonalities classic of Lladró works.

A numerous amount of chemists, decorators, and sculptors enlarged the production of the brothers' work. They then decided to add a logo to their masterpieces. Beside "Porcelanas Lladró", they incorporated the Greek master piece, Victory of Samotracia, thus associating the Lladro name to the ultimate of classical art.

By the end of this decade, Lladró opened a store in Valencia and two more a few years after.