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 bronze and silver plated desk compendium.  This stunning and exceptional quality piece features a clock, barometer, thermometer, and calendar on each of the four sides, and is set with a compass on the top.  Each of the four windows is set with a bronze bezel which creates a wonderful contrast to the clean, white surround.  The stepped, Art Deco, base also has a contrasting band of natural bronze, as does the pivot upon which the cube sits.

These "Weather Stations" as they were commonly known, were the height of luxury for any wealthy home to have on a desk, or in the library.  This particular model has a clock that was made by J. Auricoste.  Auricoste was established in France in 1854 and were renowned for their marine chronometers.  Both the French Air Force and Navy had relied on Auricoste for precision timing both personal and within aircraft and ships.  This relationship continues today.

Therefore it is believed that this piece was commissioned for either a very high ranking member of the French Air Force or Navy.  Given that the piece dates to the 1930's, it would make more sense for it to be a member the French Navy.

The clock is a stunning 8 day manual wind movement by Auricoste.  The dial is a stunning sector dial with broad blued steel hands that clearly show off the time.  It is set and would from opening one of the two doors on the cube.

The calendar is set with a month and week day pair of ivory wheels that each hand engraved and inked with both black and red ink.  These can be set at the bringing of the month, and do not need to be changed again until the new month.  These are, of course, in French.

These exact types of desk compendiums were made for a few different luxury retailers and have been found with different brand names on the dials.  There are examples with 'Kirby Beard Paris' (an old English retailer who established a luxury boutique in Paris in 1878) & 'Hermès' on the dial.  They all have French markings on the case, so they were all made in the same workshop.

The condition of the piece is excellent throughout.  There is very slight wear to bottom of the thermometer.  The clock dial is stunning and perfect, as are the other dials, and the wheels of the calendar, which also move freely.  It is worth stressing the rarity and quality of this piece.  There has not been another one of these seen by Auricoste.  Made in France, circa 1935.


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Item Dimensions
Height
4 inches (10.16cm)
Depth
3 inches (7.62cm)