Pelusa Clown With Fox is a VERY RARE sought-after vintage Lladro figurine. Lladro Index Number #1125. Year of introduction: 1971. Year of retirement: 1978. Height: 12.25 inches. Pelusa the clown with a fox in his hand is a rare retired piece. The Spanish word for’clown’ is’payaso’ so I’m guessing’Pelusa’ – the Spanish word for’Fluff’ – is the clown’s name. The business was started near Valencia, Spain, in 1953 by three brothers: Juan, Jose and Vicente. After a few years of making vases and jugs, they began to make figurines like this one. The piece features the third Lladro mark, dating it to the early 70s. The blue Lladro stamp has been used since 1971 and appears on all its superior products. When they produced’seconds’ they did not use this distinctive blue logo on the bottom. IS IT A NAO? Lladro also makes Nao pieces – less expensive and not of the same quality. Collectors do not consider Nao figurines to be’proper’ Lladro figurines. WHY DOES IT HAVE A HOLE IN THE BASE (AND WHY DOES IT RATTLE)? This is not a defect and is quite common with all fine porcelain. Many pieces have a “breathing hole” in the base to allow steam to escape during the firing process. The process of “punching” this hole in the base before firing displaces a tiny plug of porcelain to the inside of the hollow figurine; that tiny porcelain bit hardens with firing, causing the distinctive rattle. WILL YOU POST OVERSEAS? Yes, though I’m afraid it can be quite expensive because so much care is needed in the packaging. Please don’t hesitate to ask me. ANY OTHER FIGURINES FOR SALE? WILL IT BE PACKED WITH CARE? We always pack items using boxes and wrap the items in inflated wrap. In especially delicate cases we’ll pack using biodegradable poly chips or old newspaper as well.