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 wine taster or 'tastevin' made by Hermès. This beautifully made and designed drinking cup is very classic in its design. In this instance the handle used to angle the cup toward the mouth is the classic ring to secure on the hand, and then a large thumb rest above it to make for an easy tip to the mouth. The center of the cup is set with a genuine French silver coin, valuable in its own right, which looks wonderful with the wine running over it. The quality of the piece is wonderful throughout, with a thick gauge of silver, but a refinement to the lip.

The coin at the center of this fabulous cup is a French solid silver coin dating from 1726. It was minted to commemorate the wedding of the French King Louis VX to the Polish Princess Maria Leszczyńska in August of 1725. The daughter of King Stanislaus I of Poland and Catherine Opalińska, her forty two year service was the longest of any queen in French history. A devout Roman Catholic throughout her life, Marie was popular among the French people for her generosity and introduced many Polish customs to the royal court at Versailles. She was the grandmother of Louis XVI, Louis XVIII and  Charles X.

The piece was made by the French manufacturers Ravinet D'Enfert for Hermès, and features their makers mark. They were large scale silversmiths in France and were contracted by Hermès to make home goods for the luxury atelier during the mid 20th Century.

This can, of course, be used for any purpose such as a catchall. However, its origins derived from ancient French wine tradition. A tastevin is an old tasting-cup used by tasters and wine-producers. According to a custom going back to the 15th or 16th century, it is given as a christening present, and regarded as a tool rather than an "objet d'art" and people of Burgundy keep it one their pocket! It is an essential utensil for winegrowers and wine tasters, the tâtevin, tâter which translates"to taste"is the only recognised wine tasting cup.


The Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin has its own spelling of the word "tastevin". This refers to a local colour and also established precedence; for this word, particular to the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, is officially registered and protected in France. The words"Tastevin", "Tastevinage", "Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin" are not 'common' words. Moreover, the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin features in the Larousse Dictionary, which gives its aim: " To magnify wine at its noblest ".

The piece is fully signed on the side of the rim, also featuring the French assay mark for silver, the Minerva head, and makers marks. The thumb rests is also marked with the Minerva mark on the underside. The condition is excellent throughout.  Made in France, circa 1960's.


Price $1,595.00

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Item Dimensions
Width
3.75 inches (9.525cm)
Height
1 inches (2.54cm)