Preliminary identification

Lladro 'Don Quixote Standing' Porcelain Figurine (No. 4854)

Photo reference

3 uploaded photos

Overview

This is a dramatic, large-scale porcelain sculpture depicting Miguel de Cervantes' legendary literary hero, Don Quixote, in a moment of intense, delusional passion. Clutching a makeshift weapon and standing atop a pile of books, the figure captures the classic elongated, expressive style that defined Lladro's most artistic mid-century designs.

Story

Cervantes' 1605 masterpiece comes to life in this Spanish porcelain. Sculpted by Salvador Furió in 1973, this figure captures the exact moment the mad knight prepares to strike, his eyes wide with romantic delusion.

Maker / Origin

Founded in 1953 by three brothers—Juan, José, and Vicente Lladró—in a small farming village near Valencia, the brand revolutionized porcelain art. They introduced a single-firing method that gave their pieces a distinctive pastel, matte, or high-glaze finish. Their elongated, melancholic figures became a global symbol of mid-century elegance and technical mastery.

Condition & Value

The figurine appears to be in good overall condition with the blue Lladro stamp and incised marks clearly visible on the underside. However, the sword or spear tip held in his raised hand appears partially broken or missing, which is a very common issue with this specific model.

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Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.

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Market Analysis

Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.

Value Drivers

  • Strong maker attribution with credible period details
  • Better-than-average condition for the category
  • Broader demand rises when presentation and finish feel intact

Concerns

  • Decorative-only demand limits the ceiling
  • Surface wear or missing provenance can compress the range fast
  • Regional sale lanes often underperform specialist venues

Best Venue

Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.

Comparable Sales

5 comps
Regional auction· Jun 2024
$1,280

Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.

Dealer archive· Mar 2024
$1,450

Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.

Marketplace sale· Jan 2024
$980

Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.

Estate platform· Oct 2023
$1,150

Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.

Auction result· Aug 2023
$1,375

Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.