1

A Day
Observed

A story presented by

Scene 1:
‘Morning’

It was a bright cold day with glassy surfaces that looked hard.
Into the square frame he stood as if in a dream.

What emerged was precisely what he expected to find: a reflection of memory images. Contemplating his face in the photo frame he waited.

1960s lucite and chrome 3 image photo frame

By the steady hands of his watch, he listened to time. Every day for the past sixteen days he saw her. Silver lingered in the crease of
an open book.

Rolex burlwood dial, Jubilee bracelet Miniature
oar English university trophy, sterling silver.

So absorbed in his thoughts
he hardly saw the platinum catch-all, the key, or the revelation locked inside those lapis lazuli cufflinks tossed unmistakably in cold blue.

Hans Hanson catch-all. Mid-century, Danish sterling silver. Stirrup money clip, by Hermès. Padlock keyring, sterling silver " Tie bar-slide " Round lapis lazuli cufflinks" Square cufflinks, two tone rose and yellow gold, diamond."

Only by whirling on his heel could he hope to comprehend
the panorama.

Shoe horn, circa 1930. American sterling silver
Scene 2:
‘Noon’

He remained.Trapped in that enormous room,
unmistakably familiar in feeling yet so peculiar.

Above the mantle was
displayed an Austrian hound
of impeccable integrity.

Hagenauer sculpture, 1930

His gaze fell on the letter opener. By accident she had learnt more about his life from the contents of that letter than anywhere.

Dunhill letter opener with lighter top, circa 1950

Cleopatra’s eye reflected
the sun. Through the hypnotism
of precious metals there
emerged a dark slender shadow.

Cleopatra’s eye magnifying glass. Mid-century, gold plated
Hermès weighted pen. Silver plated.

A lighter presented itself, smooth to the touch
it gave the impression of
intelligent company.

Table lighter St Dupont, circa 1960. Gold plate
Scene 3:
‘Evening’

All this time light was receding from the room.

“I should explain why I spend so much time here”, said the silhouette. Leaves moved like shadows across her eyes.

Hermès rope bottle opener. Plated silver.

It’s not too late to turn back. Time moved with faint sounds.

Venini hourglass. Hand-blown lurid Murano glass.

He unscrewed the telescopic cup, rolled and remained still. Black eyes on the dice prophesied a new cycle.

Telescopic cup, J. E. Cauldwell. Gold plated. Dice,
Cartier for America. Vitreous enamel glass, silver

Staring down at the varnished surface her mouth worried him while her eyes examined the gold cufflink.

Audemar Piguet evening watch. gold plated, Roman dial, alligator strap
Scene 4:
‘Night’

Everything went crashing black.

Pale graceful hands placed
the gold stud box delicately
on the table.

Men’s Edwardian jewellery box, 1910. Gold plated.
Mid-century British cigar ashtray. Sterling silver and crystal.

He lit a match to make sure the watch had really stopped. Smoke lingered from its vesta case.

Realist wrapped tobacco leaf march vesta. Silver.

As the travel clock neared
one the figure vanished into dappled shadows.

Art Deco Jaeger LeCoultre travel clock.
Gold and silver plated. Retailed by Aspray.

On the newly varnished table two bronze shot cups sat alive like in a dream.

Tooth shot cup by Foundwell. Bronze and silver plated.
Set of 4, 3 silver 1 gold. Heath & Midleton champagne decanters circa 1900.
Sterling silver and glass.
The End

‘A DAY OBSERVED’
A story by FOUNDWELL
Photography Matthieu Lavanchy, creative direction OK-RM,
notes by Kate O’Brien and objects selected by Alan Bedwell

‘A DAY OBSERVED’
A story by FOUNDWELL
Photography Matthieu Lavanchy,
creative direction OK-RM
notes by Kate O’Brien
and objects selected by Alan Bedwell

Early and Rare Sterling Silver Gorham Martini Mixing Bucket

Golf Cocktail Shaker
and Matching Golf Bag Cup

Sterling Silver Woven Bottle Coaster

Foundwell

A SELECTION OF ITEMS BY THE PRODUCER OF
CRAFTED GOODS & PURVEYOR OF ANTIQUE WATCHES,
JEWELLERY & OTHER SUCH OBJECTS

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A sterling silver and gilt washed model of an origami style folding of a paper boat. This is a fabulous, exceptionally rare and superb quality piece. The gauge of silver used is very thick for how the piece has been made. It would have taken exceptional ability to form this in the way it has been shaped using this thickness of metal. You can feel the quality in the hand.  There are also differences in the finishing.  The inside of the boat, apart form being beautifully gold plated, it is also frosted in its finishing, producing a beautiful contrast to the silver high shine of the boat’s exterior.

Following the death in 1966 of Giorgio Bulgari the future and direction of the business was entrusted into the hands of his two sons; Gianni and Paolo. It was not an easy time domestically in Italy. The ensuing oil crisis gripping the world took a particularly heavy toll on Italy's economy in the 1970s. So, the decision was made to expand the reach of the business outside of Rome, and Italy. In 1972 a new storefront was opened at the Pierre Hotel in New York city.  Geneva, Monte Carlo and Paris locations soon followed.

Not only did the business change, but also the designs and the items being proceed under the umbrella of the Bulgari name.  From Sotirio's creation of the brand, which was as much an antique store as it was producing pieces, the acquisition of fine and rare silver items contributed to the DNA of the brand. Again, the making of silver pieces to sit alongside his jewellery was very much a secondary function of the brand. But, when they decided to produce these creations, they were always the highest quality and stunning interesting designs. This piece being no exception. Second to that, they were also very rare. It is unknown how many of these silver pieces were made. But being how few ever come to market it is safe to say that production numbers would have been very limited.  Perhaps to around ten, or less.

An example of this boat was included in the 2013 San Francisco Museum of Art's retrospective exhibition on Bulgari. It also features in the book; The Art of Bulgari: La Dolce Vita and Beyond, 1950–1990, by Martin Chapman and Amanda Triossi, 174 pp., hardcover, illus., published by The Arts Museums of San Francisco/Delmonico Books/Prestel, 201.

The condition of the piece is excellent overall. There are slight signs of wear, but it has never been polished, which is important in a piece like this in order to strictly maintain its original thickness, shape and lines. There are two ares with hallmarks. One with a series of marks including Italian and sterling control marks and its year of production; 1974. Then there is also a second set of marks, likely to be the unique item reference number and possible designer or makers initials.

This is a fantastic, rare and wonderful object that would appeal to most everyone. If anyone ever made paper boats as children, then perhaps even more so with a real sense of nostalgia. Not to mention this is museum level silver from an atelier that continues to grow and expand its reputation.


Price $9,250.00

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Item Dimensions
Height
2.37 inches (6.0198cm)
Length
7.29 inches (18.5166cm)