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 alligator business card case. This is an exquisite example of a large sized business or "calling card" case from Victorian England that was originally conceived for small cigarillos. This size, that comfortably fits both credit card and business cards is much harder to find as the average width of a calling card from this time was much more narrow. To find this "cigar" case shape and design in a smaller case for small cigars from the Victorian era is very unusual and highly desirable

The body of the both the top and bottom of the case is made from a luscious and rich alligator throughout.  The alligator or crocodile skin became a symbol of luxury in the West as wealthy people began to venture on 'World Tours', making luggage and luxurious accessories from spoils of the hunt, or "trophies". This is why these types of prints began to be sen across a variety of objects and accessories. This was both the height of luxury and sophistication at this time, The regular person would not have even seen such a material, let alone have access to buy it.

Cases such as these make for beautiful wallets today.  They allow a number of credit cards, ID and any other card needed on a regular basis to be carried in a neat, clean and tidy way. 

The card case was made in London, England, in 1896.  It has the makers marks of Drew & Sons. Drew & Sons was one of the great names of Victorian London retail, known for producing finely made dressing cases, travel goods and personal accessories for an increasingly mobile and style-conscious clientele. The firm’s origins date to the early nineteenth century, but it was during the Victorian era that the company established its reputation from premises in Piccadilly, supplying aristocratic and military customers with elegant, highly functional pieces designed for travel and daily ritual. Their dressing cases, often fitted with silver-mounted bottles and precision tools by specialist makers, reflected the period’s fascination with organisation, craftsmanship and discreet luxury.

Rather than operating solely as manufacturers, Drew & Sons acted as refined retailers and assemblers, commissioning components from leading London silversmiths and craftsmen while maintaining a consistent house aesthetic. By the late nineteenth century the company had become synonymous with quality leatherwork and fitted cases, balancing technical ingenuity with restrained design. Today, pieces bearing the Drew & Sons name remain valued for their association with Victorian travel culture and the quiet confidence of English craftsmanship

The case is presented in superb condition throughout. All silver collars are original and in excellent condition, with wonderful wear. There is a ventral, hand cut and pinned, monogram applied to one side of the case in true Victorian font. There is no condition issue to the leather throughout, and the case is ready to be lvoed and used for another one hundred years.


Price $1,175.00

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Item Dimensions
Most Collapsed Length
4 inches (10.16cm)
Width
2.8 inches (7.112cm)