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 glass eye ring. This very unusual and distinctive piece is sure to be a conversation starter. A handmade piece, it appears to have a Victorian doll's eye set into it. Dolls from this period were works of art in their own right. Constructed normally with porcelain hands, feet and heads, no attention to detail was spared. The eyes being no exception. Often they would contain moving eyelids that would give the impression the doll was blinking when being moved. Behind these eyelids sat hand-painted glass eyes such as these.

Constructed in two parts. The iris and pupil are separate from the white glass sclera. The beautiful pale blue iris area is hand painted with details painted into it which really bring it to life. There is also a large part of three dimensionality to it which allows a lot of light to pass into it which really makes it catch the eye! The silver mount around the eye has hand engraved lines around giving the impression of the eye lashes.

The shank is made hollow on the inside enabling the rear of the eye to be visible. The number seven is stamped into it. It is believed that this relates to the size doll these eyes would fit into. Although sitting higher off the finger, the ring is well made and sits comfortably and is not intrusive. Also, being hollow is not heavy, and will not turn on the finger which more bulky, high rings tend to do, letting you keep your third eye on the prize!

The "evil eye" is believed the world over and in many different religions. Belief in the evil eye is found in the Islamic doctrine, based upon the statement of the Islamic prophet Muhammad; "The influence of an evil eye is a fact..." (Sahih Muslim, Book 26, Number 5427). Belief in the evil eye dates back to at least Ancient Ugarit, as it is attested to in texts from this city (ruins in modern-day Syria). In Greek Classical antiquity, it is referenced by many writers and philosophers from the time like Hesiod, Plato, Diodorus, Siculus and Theocritus to mention a few, so widespread was it in texts. In6th century BC it appeared on Chalcidian drinking vessels, known as 'eye cups', as a type of apotropaic magic.

Many cultures believe that receiving the evil eye will cause misfortune or injury,  while others believe it to be a kind of supernatural force that casts or reflects a malevolent gaze back-upon those who wish harm upon others (especially innocents). Older iterations of the symbol were often made of ceramic or clay; however, following the production of glass beads in the Mediterranean region in approximately 1500 BC, evil eye beads were popularised with the Phoenicians, Persians, Greeks, Romans and Ottomans. Blue was likely used as it was relatively easy to create; however, modern evil eyes can be a range of colors.

Whatever your beliefs are, this makes for a really interesting piece of jewellery, the likes of which are rare to come across. Marked "925" on the inside, there are no maker's marks or any other form of identification. The ring is a size 8.25, but can be sized if  needed.


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Item Dimensions
Front of ring width
0.76 inches (1.9304cm)
Front of ring height
0.53 inches (1.3462cm)