AN ENAMEL, EMERALD AND DIAMOND NOVELTY BROOCH, BY FRASCAROLO, CIRCA 1965Designed as a Lion with textured gold head, the mane and body decorated with single-cut diamonds and orangey-brown enamel, polished whiskers, a black enamel nose and circular-cut emerald eyes, mounted in 18K gold, with maker's mark 'FC', Italian assay mark, length 4.4cmPierino Frascarolo was born in Milan in 1928 and began his career in jewellery as an apprentice with the Fratelli Lunati company. In time he created his own company with partner Aldo Lenti and moved the business, which was initially located in the historic centre of Valenza, to Corso Matteotti. Frascarolo reached his creative peak in the 1960s, with his gold and enamel animals. The production of these pieces used machinery and casting techniques that were most advanced for that period, employing up to 50 craftsmen. He was one of the first jewellers in Valenza to experiment with other materials, producing items in gold and steel and using materials such as engraved ivory. From 1967 the pieces carried a small oval plaque with the inscription ‘FC MODELE DEPOSé, MADE IN ITALY, 347AL, 750/18k, welded on the inside of the piece.After Lenti and Frascarolo parted ways, he went into business with Mr. Adriano Gugliada forming Frascarolo & Co. in New York city. Frascarolo died in Valenza in July 1976 at the young age of forty eight, at which point Frascarolo & Co. ceased operations but some of his designs are still influencing jewellers today.The two gold and enamel lion brooches are signature animal designs of Frascarolo in the 1960s. The playful brooches are set with diamonds and precious stones creating charming fun pieces.
