Here's A Limited Lladro Edition That's Worth Every Penny

I've often been asked if Lladro isn't just a bit too expensive to start as an investment in collectibles, and the answer is always a resounding no. Lladro has a wide range of quality porcelain figurines that start at a very low price point, - low for their intrinsic value, of course.

It is true, nevertheless, that the medium to higher end pieces start out with greater value, and that value continues to increase over time.

In fact, at present, the popularity of Lladro with both investors in collectibles and those who simply appreciate Lladro for its aesthetic beauty have caused the prices to skyrocket.

Lladro's Ganesha by Paul Rubio - Limited Edition

The pieces I am about to discuss with you are a part of a series of 4 beautiful porcelain figurines that were created by Paul Rubio, from 2007 to 2008, and released to the public as a Limited Edition series (3,000 pieces only) in 2009.

As a part of a Limited Edition series, this obviously means that no more will ever be made...therefore, their intrinsic value as a collectible is already guaranteed.

In the following series of 4, you will see that Paul Rubio, the sculptor who created them, was careful to render the deity with his traditional symbols: the gada (mace), the paasha (rope), and the broken tusk. Each piece was created by hand from the classic premium porcelain for which Lladro is famous (the recipe for which is a most carefully guarded secret).

Despite what some might see as a considerably high price, not only is this quite reasonable, but as I have explained, the value is already assured.

Lladro 2009 Veena Ganesha Limited Edition

This Lladro Ganesha Veena is playing a long flute called a bansuri, - which is an ancient musical instrument that was associated with cowherds and the pastoral tradition.

This particular figurine is intimately connected to the love story of Krishna and Radha.

Its dimensions are 3"x7.5"x9".






Lladro Dancing Ganesha Limited Edition

This piece, called Dancing Ganesha, features the elephant-headed god in a dancing pose with intricate ornamentation in a handsome palette.

This lovely, unique piece is the tallest of the four sculptures, at 10 3/4" high. As you can see, the attention to detail is as flawless and the porcelain finish.







Lladro Mirdangam Ganesha Limited Edition

This is the last of the series of 4 musical Ganeshas that were created by Rubio

As you can see in this figurine Lladro brings the Hindu god of knowledge and wisdom to life in this creation that depicts Lord Ganesha playing the mirdangam. Its dimensions are 9" x 7".








So, Why Are These Statues of Lord Ganesha Such a Great Bargain?

As I've explained, all four are part of the series of a Limited Edition of 3,000 pieces by Lladro.

At present, the few remaining ones can be bought, new, and in their own original box, with each piece including the Manufacturer's Certificate of Authenticity.

Each of these four pieces really is a great bargain, and a wonderful investment!

Video Proof of the Investment Potential of Lladro

How to Care for Your Precious Porcelain Figurines

Whether you have a collection of Lladro porcelain figurines or just one, it's important to know how to properly care for and clean porcelain, because it's not the same as glass (which is must easier), or china.

Basic Care:

Your porcelain figurines should not be exposed to direct sunlight for any lengthy period of time. The coloring will fade.

If you have a number of collectibles, it's best to keep them in a glass-enclosed curio or china cabinet. This also helps to ensure that they don't get knocked over.

If you prefer to keep it/them set out throughout your home as part of the decor, please do yourself and guests with young children a favor by putting them out of harm's reach at least for that visit.

My friends and their children are precious to me, and a visit spent saying, "No, don't touch," to a young, healthy, and curious child will discourage any repeat visits.

I suggest you follow this advice, or you'll end up surrounded only by your precious collectibles. I'm of the personal opinion that it would be a lonely way to live.

Dusting:

Even inside the safety of a glass-enclosed cabinet, your porcelain needs to be regularly dusted.

Perhaps because I was raised to see my collections as treasured investments  as much as additions to the beauty of my surroundings, I believe that you need the right tools to properly care for them.

One product for dusting them that works like a charm is a can of compressed gas, which gently blows the dust out of tiny crevices that you don't want to take a chance on trying to reach with anything that requires pushing (and could result in breakage).

You can choose your own, but the one I use is inexpensive and last for a good long time. It's called Falcon Compressed Gas, and the best price I've found was, of course, at Amazon. The other indispensable tool I have found was a good-quality set of make-up brushes, very soft, and they are only used for my porcelains. I chose Sigma Makeup Professional PREMIUM 15 Brush Kit. When you consider that they will probably last me a lifetime, I'm sure you'll agree that the price, which includes the storage bag, is well worth it. they have the sizes necessary for the various intricacies of my porcelains, and they are really soft.

Cleaning:

Once a year it's a good idea to give your collectibles a more thorough cleaning. the exception here is any collectibles you have that are very old. In those cases, I recommend you stick with compressed gas and gentle brushing only. If they seem to really need a cleaning, it's worth taking it to an expert in antique porcelains and having it professionally done.

For the rest, I have something specific to recommend that you do not under any circumstances do or allow to have done.

Never fill a sink with water and put your porcelain figurines in it to soak, even if you only plan to do one at a time.

I have seen information that tries to get around the dangers involved by suggesting you place one or two thick bath towels in the bottom of the sink and then fill it with water.

What they are not taking into consideration is that without meaning to, the person doing the washing could accidentally, while placing the figurine into the water or removing it from the water, hit it with the faucet.

The best solution is to buy two each of the following:

a separate, good-quality plastic type of basin (the Rubbermaid 40-Cup Storage Container was my choice) into which you can place a foam bath sponge somewhat larger than the length and width dimensions of the basin. The Comfy Baby´s Safety Foam Bath Sponge serves my purpose very well, because once soaked with warm water and mild, non-bacterial liquid dish soap, it gives protection on the sides as well as the bottom of the basin.


The Comfy Baby´s Safety Foam Bath Sponge serves my purpose very well, because once soaked with warm water and mild, non-bacterial liquid dish soap, it gives protection on the sides as well as the bottom of the basin.
The sponge grip reduces the possibility of slippage.

Before beginning to clean them, cover any holes in your porcelain figurines with tape. You don't want the water to get into the figurine, because some may remain porous even after the glaze firing, and the water can erode the structural integrity of the piece.

Never soak the piece in water. A quick dip in the basin with mild soapy water, a gentle and complete brushing, using the necessary size of brush to get into all the intricate detailing of the piece, dip, and then place carefully into the second basin, filled with clear warm water. Make sure it's rinsed well, but once again do not soak it.

Then set it onto a thick towel to dry, and onto your next piece. 

This is some of the best advice I can give you to keep your treasured investments at their peak of beauty for a lifetime.

Lladro Dancer - Newest Addition to My Lladro Collection

The Lladro Dancer Figurine is the newest addition to my ever-growing collection. The figure is of a woman who seems to be in motion, flowing so beautifully that you can almost hear the music to which she is dancing.

I received her from a friend who just called me and sort of invited herself over...very unusual for her. She showed up at my door and handed me a beautifully wrapped present: I carefully unwrapped it to discover that it was the very figurine I had mentioned to her that I was planning on adding to my collection.

It was one of those surprise, out-of-the blue gifts for no reason other than friendship and shared tastes.

I set the lovely figurine on an end table, just under the lamp, and I poured us each a glass of wine. As we talked, it seemed to both of us that the light from the lamp seemed to animate her, so that she appeared to be almost in motion...the motion of the dance.

Most of my Lladro pieces are quite intricate, but Lladro Dancer is really unique. The lines are clean and simple, and the coloring is soft and muted.

I'm tickled pink with the newest addition to my Lladro "family"...and by the way, you don't have to tell me how lucky I am to have such a good friend. I already know it.

If you are looking for a gift for someone special (and in this, please remember to include yourself), or for a special occasion, I highly recommend the Lladro dancer.

It would also make a wonderful starter gift to anyone interested in beginning to invest in collectibles.

Why Invest in Lladro?

One of the main reasons I have for continuing to add to my collection of Lladro porcelain figurines is that I come from a long line of lovers of beauty, and I sincerely believe that the best investment you can make is an investment in things of beauty, because they really do bring joy forever.

Think of it this way: even the wisest investment in stocks and bonds can't flood your home with beauty, and I'd rather have a beautiful figurine, placed in just the perfect setting in my home, than have to look at a stock certificate any day.

That said, I also come from a long line of people who believe that being frugal was something to be admired. To this day, I have trouble being able to respect people who spend money indiscriminately.

Just think, when's the last time you heard a conversation where one person mentions something they bought at a certain price, and another interjects with 'one-up-man-ship' by admitting they paid twice that much for it.

With this blog, I hope to be able to help people find just the perfect, high-quality gift for those special occasions, as well as the perfect way to fulfill their own (and what I consider to be a normal human need) desires for the security of wise investment for treasure, as well as the treasure of true, high-quality and lasting beauty.

Online Shopping - Why I prefer Amazon

I believe that online shopping is the way of the future. You see, for the most part, I don't really enjoy shopping, - I enjoy buying, particularly when it's something to add to one of my collections.

For the most part, I dislike going into stores, especially if they're crowded (I'm a bit claustrophobic). Before I invest my money in a purchase, I like to know everything I can about it. With the advent of the internet, I am now able to do this from the comfort of my own home.

The only drawback that I can see is that you have to deal with a reputable retailer, one you know you can trust.

When I was little, my summers were spent at my grandparents' country place. Of course, Grandfather de Beers worked in the city, so he would only be present over the weekends. He would usually arrive early Friday afternoons, and invariably with a small gift for me.

Grandmother de Beers would chide him about spoiling me, and he would say, with a wink, "Nonsense. It fell off a truck that was in front of me, so I stopped and picked it up for Jacquie."

Before I learned that he was joking, in my young mind, I would visualize a big green truck (green was always my favorite color) loaded with goodies, all magically wrapped like the gifts my grandfather would bring me, and one of them falling off...and Grandfather de Beers instructing his driver to stop and pick it up.

Of course, that's not what happened, but buying quality merchandise of any kind online can sometimes be just as chancy as expecting that what you want will just magically fall off the back of a truck...and be in perfect condition when you open the package.

I don't remember what my first purchase from Amazon was, only that it was neither expensive nor terribly significant. I had wanted to test the waters, so to speak, based upon a recommendation from one of my friends.

My purchase arrived promptly, safely and securely wrapped. It was the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

I find that by going through Amazon, if they they do not carry what you want, they will direct you to other reputable stores, usually more than one, which allows you to do comparison shopping based upon the prices quoted, as well as giving you the opportunity to investigate what others have to say about the offf-site store (sometimes price isn't the only consideration).

In summation, when it comes to Amazon, I'm a real fan.