Lladró figurines are world-renowned examples of Spanish porcelain that are universally recognized for their unique beauty. Their endearing subjects make them a favorite among many collectors, and their exquisite craftsmanship has ushered Lladró pieces into the showcases of some of the world’s most prestigious museums.

With prices anywhere from $500 to $4,000 and beyond, these Lladró porcelain figures are consistently in demand at auction from private collections and public institutions alike.

“The childlike figures render moments of antiquity and fiction relatable and modern, or celestial myths humanistic,” says Lauren Pressler, Decorative Arts Specialist at Clars Auction Gallery. “The most ambitious and elaborate examples are held in museum collections throughout the world for their craftsmanship and design but more importantly as an anthropologic study of mid-20th century value structures.”

A Brief History of Lladró Figurines

The story of Lladró porcelain began in 1953, when three brothers, Juan, José, and Vicente Lladró launched their porcelain company in the Spanish town of Tavernes Blanques, a northeastern suburb of Valencia. While the first generation of their production centered on more functional pieces, Lladró shifted to focus on the figurine in the latter half of the 1950s. Their goal was in part to revive the decorative figurine tradition made popular with earlier stars of porcelain production, such as the extravagant Meissen pieces made popular in the 18th century. This revival was made easier with Lladró’s development of a streamlined firing process that allowed for a more efficient application of the characteristically rich pastel colors of their pieces.

By the following decade, the Lladró was rising to acclaim in Spain and beyond. Accordingly, the Lladró company expanded and developed both specialized lines and unique treatments for their figurines. For example, the 1970s witnessed the development of the Lladró “Gres” line, which were made of a more matte finish porcelain and fired with more subdued hues. They also pioneered the ability to render small bouquets of flowers in the hands of some of their figures, a technique known as “Flowers of the Season.”

By the 1980s, Lladró had a definitive international presence. That decade witnessed both the establishment of Lladró’s first international gallery and museum in New York City and the inauguration of the Lladró Collectors Society. The reverence for the Lladró brand continues today, with collectors hunting for – and finding – fantastic pieces across price points.

“There is still strong private and primary market demand for Lladró porcelains. But they do come to auction with “diorama” works grossing the highest values. These include works with multiple figures, cars, carriages, and boats,” says Pressler.

While some Lladró pieces, such as exceptional examples of their “Don Quixote” series, can come with a higher price tag, others are achievable at much more accessible prices. Below is a list of realized prices for Lladró figurines straight from the Invaluable price archive.

The “Don Quixote” Series

One of Lladró’s most enduringly popular lines was their porcelain “Don Quixote” series. Produced over the 1970s and 1980s, these pieces highlight the captivating – and often comical – tale of the whimsical character Don Quixote, first introduced in Miguel de Cervantes’ early 17th-century book, “The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha.” A perennial favorite among literature buffs, Don Quixote comes to life in these porcelain Lladró adaptations, which resonate with the artful styling the brand. The expert renderings, combined with the fact that some pieces of this series were produced only in limited edition quantities, contribute to the higher prices these pieces achieve today.

1: “Return to La Mancha” Figural Group

Lot 2057, Kaminski Auctions (August 2015)
Estimated Price: $1,000-1,500
Realized Price: $2,300

2: Don Quixote with Sword

Lot 251, Burchard Galleries (July 2007)
Realized Price: $2,300

3: Don Quixote and Sancho Panza

Lot 181, Nadeau’s Auction Gallery (January 2011)
Estimated Price: $600-1,000
Realized Price: $1,800

4: “Don Quixote and the Windmill”

Lot 4257, Clars Auction Gallery (May 2014)
Estimated Price: $600-1,000
Realized Price: $1,800

5: “I am Don Quixote” Figure

Lot 1354, Kaminski Auctions (August 2015)
Estimated Price: $800-1,200
Realized Price: $900

Figural Groups

Equally popular (and typically more expensive) are Lladró’s dynamic figural groups. Some of the more elaborate examples in exceptional condition can lead to lofty sales prices. In fact, a record price for such a piece was set 17 September 2011, when a Lladró figural group sold in Tokyo, Japan, for 860,000.00 yen, the equivalent of more than $130,000.

6: A Large Ballerina Group

Lot 430, Joshua Kodner Auctions (August 2020)

Estimated Price: $300-500

7: The Queen of the Nile

Lot 539, Subarna Subastas (Jan 2019)
Estimated Price: €26,000 – €33,800
Realized Price: €25000

8: Figural Group Depicting a Couple

Lot 2919A, Leslie Hindman Auctioneers (September 2008)
Estimated Price: $1,000-1,500
Realized Price: $4,392

9: Gres Figural Group, “Bedouins on Camels,” signed Ruiz on stand

Lot 44, Vickers & Hoad (December 2014)
Estimated Price: AUD 800-1,200
Realized Price: AUD 1,800

10: Figural Group of “Three Sisters,” signed by artist V. Navatta

Lot 1088, Crescent City Auction Gallery (September 2014)
Estimated Price: $700-900
Realized Price: $1,400

11: “Venice Vows” Figural Group

Lot 42, Bruce Kodner Galleries (May 2015)
Estimated Price: $2,000-$3,000
Realized Price: $2,500

12: Winter Wonderland Figural Group

Lot 201, Burchard Galleries (November 2007)
Realized Price: $1,000

13: Nativity Scene

Lot 313, Clars Auction Gallery (October 2014)
Estimated Price: $1,000-1,500
Realized Price: $900

Singular Figurines

Singular Lladró figurines offer the same brilliance and beauty as the more complicated figural groups, but they also come with a more intimate appeal. It is in these figurines that one can see the talents of Lladró artists in conjuring both the subtleties of expression and the perfection of posing. As a result, such figures are a great way to begin a Lladró collection, but it is important to note that some special figurines can still recruit remarkable prices. Larger pieces rendered in the Lladró “Gres” matte porcelain, for example, alongside mint condition Lladró figurines still in their original box can sell for quadruple digits.

14: “Dressing for the Ballet”

Lot 841, Dreweatts & Bloomsbury (November 2005)
Estimated Price: £100-150
Realized Price: £6,000

15: “Call of the Sea”

Lot 125, Burchard Galleries (December 2012)
Estimated Price: $2,000-4,000
Realized Price: $1,600

16: “Innocence”

Lot 3613, Alderfer Auction & Appraisal (October 2009)
Estimated Price: $300-500
Realized Price: $1,100

17: Nude Figurine, signed “Catala Elanes 1979”

Lot 5229, Apple Tree Auction Center (September 2014)
Realized Price: $550

18: “A Tribute to Peace”

Lot 848, Alex Cooper (February 2012)
Estimated Price: $400-600
Realized Price: $500

Animals and Animal Groups

Those seeking a bit of the Lladró legacy without spending a small fortune can look to the smaller figurines featuring a singular character or animal. These pieces are equally as elegant as their more complex and costly counterparts, yet they come with the added benefit of allowing one to observe in even more intimate detail the quality of craftsmanship that comes with the Lladró name. As with any Lladró piece, always look for the style number, usually included on the piece’s base or bottom, as a guarantee of its authenticity.

19: Equestrian Group of Three Wild Horses Frolicking

Lot 141, Lawsons (July 2014)
Estimated Price: AUD 600-AUD800
Realize Price: AUD 2,200

20: “Cranes” Figural Group

Lot 718, Walter Duncan Estate Auction (February 2011)
Estimated Price: $700-$900
Realize Price: $1,400

21: 3 Continental Models of Animals

Lot 185, Dreweatts & Bloomsbury (October 2011)
Estimated Price: £60-80
Realize Price: £512

22: Figural Horse Group

Lot 804, Leland Little Auctions (June 2013)
Estimated Price: $300-600
Realize Price: $650

23: Seven Various Animal & Other Ornaments

Lot 381, McTears (July 2010)
Estimated Price: £120-150
Realize Price: £220

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