Enamel and gem-set demi-parure and lipstick holder, Frascarolo, 1960s. photo Sotheby's

Est. 3,500—4,500 GBP. Lot Sold 10,250 GBP

Enamel and gem-set necklace-brooch combination, Frascarolo, 1960s. photo Sotheby's

Est. 4,500—5,000 GBP. Lot Sold 7,500 GBP

Sotheby's. Jewels. 15 Jul 10. London www.sothebys.com

Pierino Frascarolo was born in Milan on the 21 March 1928. During the war, he moved to San Salvatore Monferrato with his family, where he began to work as an apprentice for the F.lli Lunati. Following this experience, he established a partnership with Aldo Lenti. In 1948 the laboratory was moved from its original site in the centre of Valenza to Corso Matteotti.
His work reached its greatest development in the 1960s with the creation of a line of gold and enamel animals. There were madre through the use of an advanced fusion techinque and amchinery which were evantually manned by up to 50 of his laboratory employees. In addition to the line of enamel animals, he also made jewels of gold and steel and was among the first in Valenza to use materials like hard stones and engraved ivory.
He eventually split from his partner and joined with Adriano Gugliada, an American residing in New York city, to found Frascarolo & Co. This partnership has resulted in the establishment of a permanent presence of Valenzan influence in the United States, to which other laboratories from Valenza and elsewhere have turned for representation. Frascarolo, in addition, attended international auctions and dealt in fine, important jewels.
He died in Valenza in July of 1976 at the age of 48. www.christies.com