Queen Elizabeth II

Country: Spain

Manufactory: Lladro

Date of establishment: 1974

Sculptor: Fulgencio Garcia

Height (cm): 45

Limited Series

Porcelain Story

Many European porcelain factories have at various times had a passion for creating compositions dedicated to equestrianism. I can tell you that our collection alone contains such a quantity and variety of equestrian subjects that they could be dedicated a separate museum hall. Well, we talked about carriages separately and more than once. Apart from carriages, there are works that are huge by the standards of porcelain works - almost one meter (!) high, and much more than one meter (!) long, with lots of riders and other participants in the hunting game, and with such meticulous (mind you, not the drawing) hand carving of every detail that one wants to watch without tearing eyes away. For such skillfully created composition, and even with its plot intrigue, so captivates the unwitting viewer, that the ordinary and trivial world sometimes does not want to return for hours ...

But this porcelain work is special because it is dedicated to a specific historical figure - British Queen Elizabeth.

Historians and biographers often recall the highlights of her long and beautiful life. And in these memoirs often focus on the Queen's hobbies, among her favourites were driving a car, breeding corgi dogs and horse riding.

Princess Elisabeth's love of horses began at an early age. From a young age she was an excellent rider. This continued throughout her life, until the age of 96 when photographers last captured the queen on horseback riding around Windsor Castle. Earlier, when Elizabeth was younger, she had even taken part in ceremonies - on horseback! In June 1982, the Queen joined President Ronald Reagan of the United States for an hour-long equestrian tour of the royal estate.

It is also a fact that Elizabeth II closely monitored the breeding of her horses of elite breeds and their participation in prestigious horse races. She herself was a frequent visitor to major equestrian events and championships. The famous Ascot races, for instance, were always held under royal patronage. Horses owned by the Queen won more than 600 races!

The queen's love of horses was eventually passed on to her daughter Anne. And Anne's daughter Zara Phillips even graduated with a degree in equine physiotherapy, becoming, like her grandmother and mother, a fine horsewoman.

Elizabeth II remained a wise ruler and a beautiful woman until her final days, statements which will long be quoted by posterity. "The world is not a pleasant place," she once said. -- Eventually your parents will leave you and no one will protect you just because you are you. You have to learn to stand up for your own principles..."