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 eighteen carat white gold engraved band.  This is a beautiful antique take on a classic wedding band. The entire band is engraved all the way around the outside with a floral design. It is quite a fine band, but unusually wide for this period. In general people, and their fingers were much smaller at the turn of the 20th century, so finding original bands, in this amazing condition, is exceptionally rare. 

The ring is stamped "Belais" and "18k" on the inside. Belais Manufacturing Co., founded by the visionary David Belais (1863 – June 5, 1933), was a trailblazer in the early production of white gold jewelry in the United States. As the 19th century drew to a close and the 20th began, the company expertly experimented with diverse alloys, striving to craft a white gold alternative to the increasingly restricted platinum. Belais' tireless efforts culminated in 1917 with his presentation of the final, perfected formula to the industry. Shortly thereafter, on October 5, 1918, Belais secured a patent for his 18-karat white gold alloy - a proprietary blend of gold, zinc, and nickel that deftly circumvented the wartime limitations on platinum.

The marketing prowess of Belais Manufacturing was as impressive as their technical mastery. Their advertising campaign was a resounding success, with the "Belais" name becoming synonymous with white gold itself. A November 1922 ad in The Jewelers' Circular boasted that Belais white gold was the "Youngest in Style, Oldest in Skill" - a slogan that convinced both retailers and consumers of its unparalleled quality and craftsmanship. Indeed, the rallying cry "Belais Made Means Well Made" cemented Belais Manufacturing's reputation as the premier provider of superior white gold jewelry.

For ardent animal enthusiasts, the name David Belais may evoke his tireless advocacy on behalf of our furry friends. As the pioneering founder of the Humane Society of New York in 1904, Belais selflessly dedicated himself to the organization's noble cause, serving as its President without compensation until his final days. In a crowning achievement, he was also instrumental in establishing the first free animal clinic at the Humane Society's headquarters in 1929, a testament to his unwavering commitment to the welfare of all creatures great and small.

It is currently a US finger size 11.  It cannot be re-sized, so it must fit.

Made in America, circa 1920's


Price $645.00

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Item Dimensions
Finger Size
11 inches (27.94cm)
Height at Front
0.096 inches (0.24384cm)