El Portal Porcelana

"For People Passionate About Spanish Porcelain"

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LLADRÓ
   "Core Collection"
       (Some Cautions)
   NAO
      (NAO's History)
      ("Clones")
      (NAO Marks)
      (More NAO Info)
      (Suspicious Marks)
      (NAO Catalog)
          (Retired 2004)
          (Retired 2005)
          (Retired 2006)
          (Retired 2007)
          (Retired 2008)
          (Retired 2009-10)
          (Retired 2011-12)
   Rosal
       (NAO Precursor?)
   Tang
   Zaphir
     (Other "Clones!")
     (Zaphir Catalog)
   Golden Memories
      (GM-NAO Nexus)
      (GM-NAO Table)
      (Compare a Model)
      (GM Catalog)
   Hispania
     (Hispania Catalog)

Made in Spain
(No Brand Name)

Nadal

Other Companies
   Nalda

FAQ PAGES
   Value FAQs
      "Seconds"
      "Prototypes"
   Restoration FAQs
      Restoration (2)
       Restoration (3)
   Authenticity FAQs

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For those interested in glass figurines, Fenton Art Glass Beasts, Birds & Butterflies is another of Peggy's books!



Also for those interested in glass, Fenton Art Glass Fairy Lamps & Lights is Peggy's latest book! It focuses on small, candle-lit "lamps" that were first used in the Victorian era to light dark hallways before the invention of gaslight or electricity.

The publisher for these Fenton books has gone out of business, but I am pursuing other publishing options for revised and expanded editions. Stay tuned! In the meantime, you may still find advance-ordered and used copies of these books at online booksellers.

What Does All This Mean
for Collectors?

by Peggy Whiteneck

It only deepens the mystery to know of several instances in which these earliest core collection rarities that do have old impressed core collection marks have subsequently also been found with the earliest impressed NAO marks.

As you can see from the picture, I have two of this early decimal-point model, "Hunting Dog," #308.13 in my personal collection, one with a Lladró impressed mark and the other with a NAO-impressed mark. The way things are going, I wouldn't be surprised to find this 1963 model with a Rosal mark, too. But what would it matter? I defy anyone to tell without looking at the mark which is which of the two pictured here. (Not to leave you in suspense, the NAO is the one at the top of the frame.)

Does It Really Matter Anyway?

Each collector has to make his or her own peace with these questions. As for me, I decided long ago that, intriguing as the questions are - and much as I enjoy the challenge of trying to sort out the various mysteries and inconsistencies that remain in a variety of possible answers - these questions don't ultimately matter.

This NAO goose, 11" tall and with that impossibly thin and elongated and elegant neck, is one of my favorite Lladró models - even if it is marked NAO and even if the glazed version of it (this one's matte) went off the market recently at a last retail price of a mere 60 bucks U.S. You may think the old Lladró-marked clone of this piece can be qualitatively differentiated from its NAO-marked twin, but you'd have a tough time proving it by me. A Lladró is a Lladró is a Lladró. (Photo by the author.)

Had I ever been in a position to have forked out a four-figure price for one of Lladró's decimal-numbered core collection items, I might feel differently about it, but I have never had the financial means to spend huge amounts of money on one allegedly rare or prototypic item. Still, I've been able to amass a substantial collection by spreading modest outlays over several years, amounting to a substantial investment only in the aggregate. Naturally, I care about the value of the collection, but there are other values I value more.

I enjoy my Lladró collection - in all of its brands - as much now, even knowing all that I now know, as I did when I started. But in order to retain that sense of joy and enthusiasm, I've had to keep my head screwed on straight. I was never really what you'd call "a Lladró groupie." In all the years I've been collecting Lladró, I've learned not to put much stock in the politics, personalities, or production claims of the manufacturer.

For me, the product itself is the thing - and, at its best and in whatever brand, this product is a thing of grace and elegance. I believe that, after all the questions have been asked about monetary value and relative brand prestige, the best of this art will stand the test of time...and I don't really care what name they call it.

At Last - A New Lladró Book!

The Lladró Guide; A Collector's Reference to Retired Porcelain Figurines in Lladró Brands

My most recent Lladró book has revised and expanded content and remains the only book in print on this topic that isn't just a catalog. Covers all Lladró and Lladró-affiliated brands (regular collection, NAO, Zaphir, Golden Memories, Hispania, Rosal, and Tang) and tells how to distinguish them from imitations and counterfeits. Revised and expanded content includes many new photos and a new chapter on future directions for collectors and the company now that it has passed from family hands. The book is in hard cover, which eliminates that annoying curl-up that happens with paperback books. You can order the book directly from the publisher, Schiffer Books, on Amazon, or from your favorite bookstore using the ISBN 13 number 978-0764358395.

Warning: If you're looking for a catalog of every retired figurine Lladró ever made, this is not the book for you. If you're looking for beautiful, full-color photos of representative models and more in-depth and well-researched information about Lladró and its history and production than you can get in thumbnail photos with captions, this book is what you're looking for.

Retail Price in Hardcover: $45

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