It is the age of fine living and homes today reflect the same. People today are looking for nothing but the best and most exclusive things for themselves and their homes. In this context porcelain figurines are a popular choice for creating that differentiation.

Today, porcelain has moved beyond being a collector's item to being something that is showcased at home. For the uninitiated, porcelain is a ceramic material made by heating selected and refined materials, often including clay in the form of kaolinite, to high temperatures. Porcelain artifacts, given their unique looks, are today being increasingly sought after for the stunning effects that they create in any space.

One of the famed international players that have entered the Indian market is Lladró. Lladró was established by brothers Juan, José and Vicente Lladró in 1953 in Valencia, Spain and currently has presence in over 120 countries. All Lladró pieces are the result of a meticulous artistic process preserving traditional craft skills, each step guided by master craftspeople using their expert hands under the direct supervision of the Lladró family. The end results are pieces of great artistic perfection, telling stories in a language all of their own.
Porcelain is expensive due to the nature of the detailing in the craftsmanship. As such they make for great artifacts to enhance the beauty of any interior space.

Says Amar Agrawal, Managing Director, SPA Group, "as its founders had conceived, Lladró is an artisan workshop whose creations have found their way into museums such as the Hermitage of St Petersburg (Russia), the Brussels Cinquantanaire Museum (Belgium), the International Ceramic Museum of Faenza (Italy) or the Gonzalez Marti National Ceramic Museum of Valencia (Spain) among others."

Lladró has recently launched their Re-Deco collection, a new decorative concept that has brought an edgy sophistication to porcelain figurines. Re-Deco is a result of a deep and sophisticated study of ornamentation and décor treated with light, fresh and humourous touch emblematic of contemporary design. The figurines are decorated with platinum touches in gloss or matte and this treatment confers a sculptural dimension to the piece.
Luxurious vases
The Re-Deco collection comprises of luxurious vases of little girls with flowers and figurines that becomes switches for lamps or a stand for a mirror, pieces that blend in harmoniously with furniture and interior decor. Lladró has also launched for its Indian consumers, an India-inspired spiritual collection that includes Veena Ganesha and Bansuri Ganesha which are a part of a special set of four spiritual creations to be introduced in 2007 and 2008.

A limited edition of Goddess Lakshmi has been recently introduced, keeping in mind the approaching festive season.

"Indian customers tend to have a preference for buying figurines inspired by Indian mythology and also figurines that are limited edition.  This is probably why India has the highest average ticket value in the stores globally," explains Agrawal.

Sometimes, limited editions are launched for the privileged members of Lladro or to cater to the specific needs/requirements of the customers. Lladró has recently introduced, limited editions of 'Spirit of India' collection that includes figurines of Radha Krishna, Lakshmi, Bansuri Ganesha, Veena Ganesha, Buddha and many more. Lladró will soon introduce two kinds of special hand-made diyas - Ganesha Diya and Round Diya, to capture the spirit of Diwali with its lively colour palette, bringing out Lladró's embletic, delicate and graceful style and meticulous attention to detail.

They will also be launching limited editions of Lladró Stieff Teddy Bears in India.

Lladró has tied-up with world-renowned German company, Steiff who has been making the world's most famous teddy bears for 125 years and are the oldest and most prestigious stuffed animal manufacturers in the world.
Steiff is now recognised as the key name for teddy bear collectors. Stieff toys have become the most valuable in the markets, and nowadays auctions are held to own some of them, Collectors and enthusiasts are willing to pay very high sums for original Steiff articles.

Names like Dresden, Teplitz, Goldscheider, Heubach, Bing & Grondahl, Belleek, Beswick, Hutschenreuther, Rosenthal, Royal Doulton and Royal Dux are other noteworthy players in the field.

Porcelain figurines are seen in homes across the world and today they are also available in the Indian market.
And the value some of these figurines have a tendency to appreciate with time. So if you want that special touch of glassy elegance and a dimension of fascination, choose porcelain!