The following treasure is from the living estate of Ailene & Buddy Ford; noted dealers and lifelong collectors of exceptional antique & vintage heirlooms. The Ford estate presents highly valuable items from a diverse group of genres, 95% + in excellent condition. This exquisite estate has something for every eclectic collector! xxxxxxxxxxx. The AEAA is exceptionally proud to showcase this incredible, Giant Lladro Aldeana Gallarda (COUNTRY WOMAN) figurine, item # 2049, which was a 1973 Limited Edition of 750. The subscription closed in 1977, and our NIB example is # 91 / 750, has been waiting to be displayed patiently ever since. All we can say is that this 15 x 9 x 25.5 inch tall girl, shows all the gritty & realistic appearance of a real European farm girl. The attention to detail is classic Lladro, and the matte mottled finish is remarkable. She weighs 26#, and is in new condition, in the original box. **** THE GIANT CYPRUS HAND CARVED STAND DOES NOR GO WITH THE FIGURINE - PLEASE SEE IT IN LOT #137. xxxxxxxxxxx. The Lladro Company was founded in 1953 by three brothers, Juan, Jose and Vicente Lladro, in the small village of Almacera near Valencia. Beginning with simplistic forms such as vases and jugs, it took three years until 1956 when they started producing the sculptures for which they are now most famous. Worldwide acclaim and enthusiasm for the items produced by the Lladro brothers saw their small workshop expand exponentially until they were eventually forced to move to their present Tavernes Blanques location in 1958. Lladro figurines are made out of an original blend of kaolin rich hard paste porcelain, which gives the figures their unique base porcelain appearance. The glazes which run the gamut of a subtle, almost bisque like mat, to an approximating semi gloss luster, all the way to a high gloss mirror finish, are all proprietary formulas, and along with the porcelain mixture, are carefully guarded secrets. 1970 saw the first production of the Gres line, and the Elite series followed in 1974, with the hugely popular Collectors Society formed in 1985. This lasted 17 years until 2001, when the Lladro Privilege, and subsequent 2004 Lladro Privilege Gold loyalty programs took over for the society.Llado was born 1951 in Almacera, a tiny farming community near the city of Valencia, on Spain’s eastern Mediterranean coast. Born humble farmers, the Lladro brothers Juan, Jose and Vicente decided to create ceramics as a means of improving their future prospects. They enrolled in the Valencia School of Arts and Crafts, where Juan and Jose studied drawing and painting, while the youngest, Vicente, took up sculpture. The brothers built a Moorish-style kiln in 1951, and subsequent to a successful upgrade in 1952, officially founded the Lladro Co. in 1953. After opening their first retail store in Valencia in 1955, they moved from their small workshop to the town of Tavernes Blanques, and in 1958 the foundations were laid for what was to become known as Porcelain City, the home of Lladro porcelain art today. Becoming fully operational in 1962, the artisan’s workshop was established in 1963, growing to currently house 2000 skilled artisans occupying almost 1,000,000 square feet of design and manufacturing space.

XA - P146 - New in Box - original packaging