Hi Aileen,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

Now based in Tavernes Blanques, Valencia, Spain, Lladró was founded in Almàssera in 1953 by brothers Juán, José and Vicente Lladró. Initially making porcelain jugs and vases, in 1956, the company started producing the statues for which they've become famous. Over time, the company has expanded, collectors societies have formed, alliances with foreign manufacturers have been forged, a museum in New York City opened, and it's won numerous awards. The company has also faced economic hardship and, in 2020, the US division of Lladró Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Lladró occupies a very specific niche in 20th-century decorative arts with their high-quality, hand-crafted porcelain figurines that blend traditional European figurine-making with a distinctive modern brand identity. During the company's heyday (1960s-90s), these figurines were widely given as gifts marking milestones (weddings, baptisms), making them both decorative and sentimental objects.

This figure is their "Starting Forward" model, which was first modeled by sculptor Antonio Ramos and issued in 1989 but retired in 2004. Ramos was part of Lladró’s later generation of sculptors, active during the period when the company expanded into modern, everyday themes like sports and youth subjects.

The partnership with Rotary International was one of several corporate partnerships and underscored distribution, branding and philanthropy; they were sold via Rotary clubs and events, positioned as commemorative or gift items and occasionally tied to fundraising initiatives. The partnership gave Lladró access to a global network of professionals and community leaders as well as buyers who were not typical porcelain collectors.

Like 'Sweet Scent,' 'Starting Forward' was widely produced and are not considered rare. I've found several examples of this figure listed online for between $100 and $150, though when these come to auction, they typically sell for between $30 and $50.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

A near vintage Lladró hand-modeled hand-painted porcelain "Starting Forward" figurine
1986
marked to the bottom
8-3/4 inches tall
CONDITION: This appears to be in good condition
PROVENANCE: Inherited
$40-50*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia