Signed FC Frascarolo bestiary jewelry
Basset Hound Dog brooch. 18 K gold, diamond, enamel, ruby, black onyx. 1960s. Signed FC Frascarolo bestiary jewelry
Signed FC Frascarolo bestiary jewelry (1946-1976)
The history of the Italian jewelry brand Frascarolo began after the Second World War and ended in 1976.
Italian jewelry designer Pierino Frascarolo (1928–1976), aka Rino was born into a wealthy family in Milan. In 1945 he began his career as an apprentice at Fratelli Lunati. Already in 1946, together with his two colleagues Aldo Lenti (1910-1982) and Daniele Valiera (1912-1978), 20 year-old Rino founded “Frascarolo and C” in Ferrara, northern Italy.
Since 1966, the company specialized in the design of animals in gemstones, enamel and gold. A small team of 20 designers, artists and jewelers created unique designs for brooches, rings, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, cufflinks and tie clips. The greatest success, especially in the United States, was the “Bestiario” collection, with designs of birds, small mammals and large cats. Also, the company produced money clips, key rings, watches, lighters, lipsticks and even umbrella handles.
Strong demand for the company’s jewelry led to business expansion and a doubling of the workforce. In addition, Frascarolo & Co. Inc. was opened in 1970 in New York.
However, despite great success and prosperity, for many reasons, the company ceased to exist in the 1970s. The collapse of the company was influenced by the departure of iconic employees such as the Tizzani brothers, and then Aldo Lenti, not to mention the tragic death of Pierino Frascarolo himself in 1976.
Beaver brooch. 18 K gold, diamonds, enamel, onyx
Maker’s mark
Signed FC Frascarolo bestiary jewelry
Cat brooch. 18 K gold, blue enamel, diamonds, ruby
Duckling brooch. 18 K gold, enamel, diamonds, ruby
Easter bunny rabbit brooch. 18 K gold, ruby, diamond
Fish brooch. 18 K gold, enamel
Flying owl brooch. Diamonds, chalcedony, 18k gold, enamel
Horse hinged bangle. 18 K gold, diamonds, rubies, enamel
Jaguar clip earrings. 18K yellow gold, multicolored enamel, diamond and emerald
Leopard brooch from ‘ferocious bestiary’ collection. Diamonds, rubies, blue, white and red enamel, 18k gold. 1960
Lion brooch. 18 K gold, red enamel, diamonds, green onyx
Mouse brooch. 18 K gold, enamel, diamonds, emeralds, sapphire. 4 cm
Puppy brooch. 18 K gold, sapphire, onyx, enamel, diamonds
Sheep brooch. 18 K gold, diamonds, enamel, emerald
Tiger’s head necklace and rings. Enameled yellow and black gold, ruby, diamonds
Toucan brooch. 18 K gold, red enamel, ruby, diamonds
Whimsical zebra brooch. 18 K gold, ruby, diamonds, enamel
Maker’s mark
