Lot 159
FOPE: A gold and mabé pearl 'Flex'It' bangle
Auction: 22 April 2026 from 14:00 BST
Description
Of torc design, the 18 carat gold polished links, to collet-set mabé pearl terminals, signed FOPE, UK import mark, Italian assay mark, inner diameter 5.6cm
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.