Collecting Lladro Retired Pieces

Lladro collectibles are a highly sought after porcelain figurine that is increasing in popularity and emerging as a top collectible on Ebay. While new figurines are introduced on a regular basis, Lladro retired pieces frequently bring top dollar bids through both live and online auctions. The increasing popularity of the Lladro figurines has collectors paying more for their coveted Lladro porcelain and an increasing number of new collectors entering the scene as word spreads of this line of porcelain figurines from Spain.

On first glance, most would wonder what is it that makes the Lladro retired pieces so valuable. Any knowledgeable collector will tell you that it is the slight variations in the finish and the fine attention to detail. It is not uncommon for a Lladro figurine to be made of over 300 molds before the final design is approved and ready for production. Lladro porcelain is not a production line product. Each Lladro piece is hand painted and given an artist's attention throughout the painting and firing process.

Lladro figurines come in three different finishes that vary slightly in gloss and sheen. The three different finishes are matte, gress and gloss.
The slight variations in the finish can make collecting Lladro retired pieces very confusing for a new collector. Lladro frequently makes a figurine in all three finishes and each can be retired at different times. While one finish may still be in production, another may have been retired several years ago and be worth thousands of dollars. New collectors can easily overspend when adding a new Lladro figurine to their collection and should take the time to study the different finishes.

If you are interested in collecting Lladro retired pieces, it is a good idea to be knowledgeable about the particular figurine that you are purchasing. Not only must you be knowledgeable about the finish of your Lladro porcelain figurine, you should also be certain to check the base of the figurine for the company logo. The "blue-bell" logo should be prominently stamped on the bottom of the figurine. Each piece of Lladro porcelain will have this identifying mark. Other marks may be visible on the bottom of the figurine but according to the Lladro company, they are insignificant and have no meaning.

Lladro retired pieces are increasing in popularity and value. Not only are they beautiful to display, they can also be a great investment if you are a knowledgeable Lladro collector.