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 solid fourteen carat yellow gold owl charm, or pendant, in holster. A beautiful and superbly well executed study of the face of an owl. It has wonderful presence and charm to it. All of the feathers have been worked with great attention to detail following the contours of the owl's face. The most alluring feature to this wonderful bird are its green garnet eyes.

Owls have always had a certain allure. Maybe it’s their silent flight, or those watchful eyes that seem to know more than they let on. Across cultures and centuries, these birds have stood for wisdom, mystery, and a sense of the unseen. The Greeks saw them as the ultimate symbol of knowledge. Athena, goddess of wisdom, never went anywhere without her owl by her side. In other stories, owls are the keepers of secrets, able to see what others miss. Many indigenous traditions even look to the owl as a spiritual protector, believed to guide and shield those who honor it.

So when you slip on an owl-inspired piece of jewelry, you’re not just making a style choice, you’re tapping into all that meaning. In Athens, the owl is everywhere: stamped on coins, carved into statues, woven into the city’s identity. Ask any local: Athena’s the city’s patron, and her owl is the city’s unofficial emblem. You can’t miss it, and honestly, why would you want to?! 

The study is made in solid fourteen carat yellow gold. It is fully stamped on the back with 14K and the maker "Kigu". 

The story of Kigu is rooted in artistry and migration, beginning in Hungary with Josef Kiaschek, the maker of the very first powder compact. His son, Gustav, carried this vision forward, founding KI-GU in Budapest and setting a standard of refinement that would echo for decades.

When Gustav’s three sons left Hungary, they scattered the family legacy across the globe. In 1939, George Kiaschek arrived in London and established Kigu of London, a name that would soon become synonymous with post-war glamour. The Second World War interrupted production, as factories across Britain turned to the war effort, but by 1947 George was joined by his brother Paul, and Kigu blossomed once more.

The company remained under family stewardship until George’s passing in 1977, when his son David briefly took the helm. By the early 1980s, Kigu was sold to A. S. Brown, makers of the Mascot compacts, and later absorbed by Laughton & Sons, the famed creators of Stratton. Thus, three illustrious names in British vanity culture were drawn together.

Beyond compacts, Kigu’s mid-century jewelry carried the same elegance and attention to detail. From sculptural cuff bracelets to luminous earrings, brooches, and necklaces, their designs exuded sophistication. One of their most enchanting ranges, the “Marquetta” collection of the 1950s, reimagined marcasite in shimmering simulated forms—pieces that today remain both evocative of their time and enduringly collectible.

The piece can be added to a chain, or leather, and worn as a pendant. It is being sold on its own. If you need a silver chain to put it on, let us know and we can arrange to add one. 

Made in America, circa 1970's.


Price $2,300.00

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Item Dimensions
Diameter
1.15 inches (2.921cm)