Lot 158
FOPE: A brick-link necklace
Auction: 22 April 2026 from 14:00 BST
Description
The contoured collar of five rows of polished brink-linking, to a concealed clasp, signed FOPE, Italian assay mark, length 40.5cm
Footnote
FOPE was founded in Vicenza, Italy in 1929, by Umberto Cazzola. In 1948 Umberto and his son Odino helped organise the Fiera dell’Oro (Gold Trade Fair) in Vicenza, where they exhibited their invention – an extendible watch strap. In the post war years Odino focused on exporting their gold watch straps, which they were producing for leading Swiss brands. In the 1960s, the company changed its name to FOPE (Fabbrica Oreficeria Preziosi per l’Esportazione).
By the 1970s the business was being run by Umberto Cazzola’s grandchildren, Umberto and Ines. FOPE's most recognised designs are the Novecento mesh and the patented Flex’it technology, where tiny 18 carat gold springs are hidden between the gold links.