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 solid eighteen carat gold, articulate fish cigarette lighter with ruby and emerald eye.  This fabulous and intricately hand made piece is a study of both whimsical design, and outstanding craftsmanship.  The fish was designed by French jewellery designer Jean Schlumberger and made for Tiffany & Co.  The body of the fish is constructed so that as the body tapers, with segment becming smaller, it has a fluid mobility.  Almost as if the fish wants to swim away.  The head portion of the fish is hinged at the back of the neck, which when folded back, reveals a lighter.  The lighter is a classic petrol wick and flint wheel design, and is functioning and in perfect condition.  The lighter portion slides out, and is also solid eighteen carat gold, marked with the same French Poinçon for makers HA, and the eagle head, as well as being hand signed "Schlumberger".  It is filled in the base via a screw, along with the replacing of the flint wheel.

Jean Shclumberger  began his design career designing buttons for Italy's answer to Coco Chanel; Elsa Schiaparelli.  After recognition for his work in this area, she commissioned him to design a line of costume jewellery for her atelier.  The outbreak of World War Two halted his progress in the fashion world, and he served his country admirably  during the conflict.  His biggest move came when Walter Hoving, President of Tiffany & Co. invited him to take a position in New York designing a line of fine jewellery for the firm.  It did not take long for his work to become worn and desired by the most elegant and fashionable women in the world.  Audrey Hepburn, Gloria Vanderbilt and the Duchess of Windsor were among a handful of his clients who couldn't wait to see his next whimsical and fanciful creations.  With the full backing of Tiffany's the cookie jar of gemstones, he went on to create many of the world's finest pieces of jewellery until his retirement, as Vice-President, in the 1970's.

One of the most famous pieces created was the mounting for the famed Tiffany Diamond, which  had been in the firm's collection since the nineteenth century. The brooch, entitled "Bird on a Rock", incorporates the impressive 128.54 carats (25.708 g) yellow diamond in a fanciful setting typical of Schlumberger's style.  This stone was then mounted into a necklace he designed which Hepburn is photographed in, and later remarks on in the iconic "Breakfast at Tiffany's".

This quite rare and special piece is a wonderful example of his approach to design, and execution.  Humourous, beautifully made and unique.  Each one of these has his hand engraved name on the tail and Tiffany & Co.  On the reverse it is engraved "Made in France" along with a unique number.  In the case "24".  It is believed this is the issue number, meaning this was the twenty-fourth example to me made, with perhaps under thirty total completed.  Not all are dual signed Tiffany & Schlumberger.  The condition is perfect throughout, the lighter is working, simply needing lighter fluid adding.  There are marks throughout, including on the fin of the fish.  Made in France, circa 1960's.

 

 


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Item Dimensions
Length
4.5 inches (11.43cm)
Width
1 inches (2.54cm)