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 gilt washed, sterling silver pocket match vesta, or match safe, in the form of an addressed envelope, complete with stamp and postal markings.  This charming little piece would have been a very easy way to carry enough matches for the day, while not being cumbersome.  It is laid out in the true form of an envelope, with the recipient of the gift's name hand engraved on the front, where a letter would be addressed, and on the back it has the initials again of the recipient, and the person who gifted it.

There are two 'postal' stampings on the piece.  The first next to the stamp confirming from where and when the 'letter' was sent, in this case New York , NY. and the three p.m. collection on '12', December,  1891.  This is also stamped across a red Two Cent stamp with the profile of George Washington on it. This was the correct stamp denomination, at this time, for sending correspondence such as this.  The rear postal stamp is to show that the letter has been received by the local Post Office, and when.  Very sweetly, in this instance, it shows the date '12.25.91', showing that it was indeed a Christmas gift to the Colonel.

Once opened, via a hinge running along the spine of the envelope flap, there is a striking plate in a very patriotic stars and stripes pattern.  The striking works well with a non-safety match, and is in excellent condition, as can be seen from the close up picture.

Colonel John G. Neumeister was a commissioned officer and Aide de Camp of the Illinois National Guard, and a very well regarded member of Chicago society. He was a wealthy, second generation, produce merchant and had a keen interest in politics, being elected city clerk of Chicago in 1883-85, and was a member of the staff of governor.  He was a candidate for the democratic nomination for mayor of Chicago, running against ex mayor Edward F. Dunne.  He died a fairly young man, at the age of fifty five in 1911, and stopped what could have been a longer run in the political sphere in America.

Although not marked for Gorham, this match safe bears all the hallmarks of others that were marked for Gorham, including the same patent date as those marked for Gorham, 24th June 1890.  Also, along with other Gorham signed pieces it has the model number stamped on both the body and the flap, '13'.  The condition of the piece is good, considering it is now over one hundred and twenty five years old.  The enamel is all in tact, and clean and represents a wonderful part of American history from the nineteenth century.

 


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Item Dimensions
Width
2 inches (5.08cm)
Height
1.25 inches (3.175cm)