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 turquoise hand-made Native American cuff. This is one of the finest examples of Native American craftsmanship one is likely to come across in a cuff. The front of the cuff is set with a stunning center stone measuring nearly two inches in height, of green Manassa Green turquoise.  

Manassa turquoise, also known as King's Manassa turquoise, is a type of turquoise that comes from the King's Manassa Turquoise Mine in Manassa, Colorado. The mine has been mined for centuries by Native Americans, and was rediscovered in 1890 by gold prospector Israel Perviose King. King originally thought the blue stains on the rocks were copper, but in 1900 they were identified as turquoise. He abandoned the mine after realizing there wasn't much gold, but a friend later asked about the stones and he realized they were valuable. The King family has operated the mine ever since, and the turquoise is sometimes called "Lick Skillet" after King and his descendants. 

The mine produces a variety of colors and qualities, including deep emerald greens, deep sky-blues, and rich golden-brown matrices with some spider-webbing. Manassa turquoise is known for its striking green color and golden matrix, and is considered by some to be the best blue-green turquoise on the market. The turquoise grows in veins that run through the hard, golden brown host rock. 

The mine has been closed for periods of time, and is currently not active, making Manassa turquoise rare on the market. However, the mine has recently changed hands and is once again producing turquoise.

The cuff is exceptionally well made with sand cast silver and hand stamped with no corners cut.  The cuff tapers up from its ends as it nears the center stone.  Before it meets the stone it splits into three to spread and support the large center stone. Atop these spread lines lies a decorative plate with stamped suns and sun rays on each side.  The center stone is surrounded by a rubbed setting edge along with a hand braided wire frame which is then framed by a beautiful scalloped edge flower-like, larger setting frame.

The majority of the cuff is decorated with stamped patterns typical of the Navajo tribe artisan work. This level and attention to detail can only be explained by an artist who took a huge amount of pride in their work. The piece likely dates from the mid-part of the 20th Century, it is not  signed.


Price $945.00

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Item Dimensions
Height
1.9 inches (4.826cm)
Cuff Length End to End
5.9 inches (14.986cm)