Bangle Bracelet Michaela Frey (1926-1980)

Lotus model enamel and gold-plated bangle bracelet. The Austrian jewelry brand founded by Michaela Frey (1926-1980) began its business exactly 70 years ago. A talented artist at the age of twenty-five, Michaela graduated from the Academy of Applied Arts in Vienna. She founded the eponymous company Michaela Frey Emailmanufaktur and opened a small workshop in 1951. From the very beginning, Michaela used a unique technology involving the multi-stage application of hot enamel mixed with 24-karat gold powder. As an artist, she created jewelry sketches, demonstrating a deep knowledge of the ethnic ornaments of various cultures. Influenced by Monet, Klimt, Mucha, and Hundertwasser, her jewelry is wearable art. Friedrich Wille joined the company as an accountant and lawyer in 1969 and took over the business in 1972. In the 1980s, Michaela Frey passed away at the age of 54, and her daughters sold the company to Wille, making him the sole owner. The new head designer, Simone Grünberger-Wille (who later became his wife), was a professional artist. Simone brought her colleagues from the Academy of Applied Arts in Vienna to join the team. Thanks to them, entirely new forms and a high level of artistry emerged in the design. The most notable collection was the Avantgarde series, featuring geometric shapes and brightly colored enamel.