Adam's Fine Jewellery & Watches 5th December 2023

47 Pierino ‘Rino’ Frascarolo was born in Milan in 1928. He began his jewellery career as an apprentice with the Fratelli Lunati company, before going on to find his own firm with his partner, Aldo Lenti. In 1948 he moved his factory to Valenza in Corso Matteotti. It was here that Frascarolo began to design and craft his signature enamel and gold animal creations, the ‘Bestiario’, for which he would become best known. Frascarolo’s animal jewels were produced throughout the 1960s and proved so popular that he was unofficially dubbed the ‘David Webb of Italy’. Admirers included HRH The Prin- cess Margaret who owned a tiger bangle and ring by him. It was during this time that the maison of Frascarolo was at its height and his exquisite creations attracted clientele from all over Europe and beyond, who were enchanted by his lively and colourful portrayal of animals in the form of wearable pieces. The manufacture of these pieces was not an easy feat, and their huge popularity is a credit to Frascarolo’s skill as a craftsman. He used casting techniques and machinery that was hugely ad- vanced for the time and employed up to fifty craftsmen at once. Frascarolo and his partner Lenti went their separate ways and the former then established his own brand, Frascarolo & Co., in New York City. Through this venture, Frascarolo brought the work of Italian jewellery masters to new heights of inter- national renown. Pierino Frascarolo died in Valenza in 1976 at just forty-eight years old, whilst his jewellery business was at its peak. Follow- ing Pierino’s untimely death, Frascarolo & Co closed its busi- ness activities the same year, but due to their collectible nature, his pieces remain in very high demand.