Lladro 2008 Collectible Handmade Porcelain Christmas Bell Ornament

About Lladro:Lladr? was founded in 1953 when Juan, Jos?, and Vicente, three brothers born of local farmers and endowed with great artistic talent, formed a small family company in the Valencian village of Alm?cera, Spain. Since then, Lladr? has undergone an amazing metamorphosis from an artisan workshop to a huge firm of international scope enjoying continual growth. The company management has remained in the hands of the Lladr? family, the owners of the firm, since its inception. The creative team started out by adapting styles from past eras, but it was not long before certain characteristics appeared that would soon shape what was to become the unique Lladr? style. In addition to their particular attributes in terms of form and color, the essence of Lladr? sculptures is found, above all else, in the kind of human warmth that the sculptures convey. Just as before, today?s Lladr? artists create works in accordance with a stringent artistic process, maintaining the highest quality as well as preserving the essence of the founding brothers. In 1988, the Lladr? Museum and Gallery opened on 57th Street in New York City. Housed in a building that represents the urban charm of the 1920s is the largest collection of Lladr? creations anywhere in the world, and it includes many artistic works by the Lladr? brothers from their early years. Some of the world?s most prominent museums exhibit the most significant Lladr? sculptures in their permanent collection, such as The Hermitage museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia and the Royal Art and History Museum in Brussels. A long series of awards pays tribute to the Lladr? oeuvre, among them the Prince Felipe Prize for Business Excellence. This award is the most prestigious that can be bestowed upon a Spanish company. The revered Lladr? brand and accomplishments have ranked it among the first Spanish brands known worldwide. Today, Lladr? is staffed by about 2, 000 employees,