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ALTREFORME
LLADRÓ WORLD
Lladró is a historic Spanish company, which over the years has developed a growing consensus among porcelain enthusiasts from all over the world. An iconic brand that has distinguished itself for its talent, audacity and meticulousness in the pursuit of excellence.
Lladró's history began in the 1950s, when three brothers, Juan, José and Vincent Lladró, started making ceramic plates, vases and figures. The working techniques and the creation of floral elements, which are still used today, distinguish the virtuosity of the company.
Each decade features distinctive elements that represent Lladró's evolution.
The brand was distinguished in the 1960s by its elongated lines and increasingly complex and dynamic pieces. During the same time period, it also pioneered the innovative single firing technique. In 1965, he also entered the American market, introducing his porcelain to a completely new audience.
The 1970s were dedicated to creativity, experimentation and international recognition. It was during this period that the brand developed increasingly ambitious projects.
Lladró established its presence in the United States during the 1980s, opening its first gallery and museum in New York. He began in the Japanese market before expanding to Russia, India, and Eastern Europe.
It wasn't until the 2000s that new paths began to emerge. Lladró used new imagery, creating entirely new and revisited figures and furniture elements. External designers such as JaimeJaime Hayon, Bodo Sperlein, and Culdesac helped the Spanish company diversify and breathe new life into it at this point.
In these years Lladró focuses on the creation of products dedicated to home decoration, such as lighting, home accessories and jewelry. He confirms his position as a style icon.
Collaborations also intensify in a fruitful creative exchange with well-known external designers such as Paul Smith, Rolito or Gary Baseman.
The Lladró Boutique in New York opens its doors in 2012 at 500 Madison Avenue.
CRAFTSMANSHIP TECHNIQUES
Let's find out what makes Lladró's sculptures unique
Lladró porcelain is still handcrafted in Spain at the company's sole factory in the world, located in Valencia.
Behind the creation of each object, there is a whole team of expert artists and designers who keep alive the ancient techniques and methodologies that transform porcelain into dreams.
Unique artisanal processes, applied in the most figurative Lladró creations as well as in products dedicated to lighting, home accessories and jewelry.
How a Lladró work is created?
For the creation of a porcelain all that is needed at the beginning is an idea. Based on this, the author will give it a shape, through the application of his knowledge, the use of his hands and traditional tools.
To create the first model is necessary to study, documenting the subject that will be represented, in fact it may happen that you model live.
Following the creation of the model, the team will begin to understand how to break it down to work it at its best. Some creations are so complex that it is necessary to break them down into more than 400 fragments.
After removing the porcelain parts from the mold, it's time to decorate the piece. Lladró boasts a palette of over 4000 colors, which is constantly being updated.
The Decorative Moment
A wide range of decorative techniques are used: soft colors, glazes, lustres and different textures and finishes (glossy, matte, brushed). The master painters apply the colors with a steady hand, delicately outlining the smallest details.
Firing the porcelain is a very delicate moment, because the success of each creation is judged. Temperatures reach up to 1300 °C (2500 °F) for a whole day and the true Lladró colors come to the surface.
During the process, the size of the porcelain paste is reduced by about 15%. Ensuring that this reduction is uniform and that the piece is not damaged is one of the biggest miracles that happen at Lladró.
This complex and laborious process is the only one capable of guaranteeing the level of excellence that has earned Lladró its worldwide reputation.
The quest for perfection also extends to quality control, where the finished sculpture undergoes various tests that certify it meets the high standards required by the brand.
