Nao® by Lladro "Faithful Companion" Porcelain Figurine
Best friends, captured in warm porcelain. Handcrafted for artful style, this sweet figurine features a girl and her dog sharing a special moment.
Part of the Nao Naomi Collection, this piece was introduced in 2009. A variety of elements are similar to the "Pretty Naomi" and "A Gift from the Heart" figurines. The proportions, particularly the girl's delicate face, artfully incorporate Naomi's familiar features. In addition, the stars decorating the ball she is sitting on are similar to the stars detailing the dresses in "Pretty Naomi" and the jacket in "A Gift from the Heart."
"Faithful Companion" is one of the few Nao pieces where Naomi is wearing more modern clothing, rather than a traditional dress or nightgown. In this figurine, Naomi is playing with a restless little puppy on her lap, and the dog is looking expectantly up at her. This figurine is hand painted in delicate pastel shades and kiln fired for more than twenty hours to achieve a flawless final glaze.
Additional Information:
Measures 6.75"W x 6.75"H. For indoor display only. Wipe clean with a soft cloth. Imported.
About Nao Porcelain:
Part of the Lladro Group, Nao has offered a collection of natural and elegant handmade porcelain figures since 1968. Created with characteristic warmth, each piece is detailed with perfection of finish, purity of form and graceful expressiveness of design. The figures illustrate the themes and journeys in all phases of life: from childhood games to spirituality, from the merriness of clowns to religiously inspired images, from falling in love to family life. For over 40 years, Nao creations have won the hearts of millions throughout the world. Perfect for gift-giving, the pleasures of owning a Nao figurine are priceless.
The Meaning Behind the Name:
Nao is the Spanish word for ship and is used to refer to Spanish and Portuguese merchant ships from the 15th and 16th centuries. The ship featured in the Nao logo was chosen to represent a homeward journey, loaded with the rare spices of creativity, skill and magic. Judge for yourself if the voyage was of merit.
The Making of Nao Figurines:
Expert hands are required to translate life's moments into the beautiful figures that make up the Nao collection. This is why Nao porcelains are produced by veteran craftsmen in the company's own local workshops near Valencia, Spain. The ceramic tradition of the Valencian community goes back to Roman times. Since then, this artistically-rich area has continued the tradition along with painting, sculpture and music. The figurines are the perfect combination of artisan craftsmanship and modern porcelain manufacturing techniques. This allows us satisfy the followers of the brand worldwide.