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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An exceptional pair of solid eighteen carat gold cufflinks with applied Shakudo Japanese figures.  This is a special, and unique pair of early, high carat superb quality cufflinks made during the golden years of Tiffany, when Louis Comfort Tiffany himself was in the workshop.  The cufflinks consist of a soft rectangle front, classic curb link chain and, easy to pass through the cuff, dumbbell back.  This style of cufflink was popular from the late Victorian period all the way through to the Art Nouveau era.

The front of each of the panels feature applied Japanese figures.  One, a Samurai.   The other a female figure, perhaps his okusan or even an Onn-musha.  Each figure is superbly detailed, and picked out using many different alloy mixes of gold that help to produce a plethora of stunning metal tones throughout each figure.  You can clearly see the samurai's daisho and the kanzashi in the hair of the lady along with the stunning clothing.

The figures themselves are believed to be Shakudo.    Shakudō was historically used to construct or decorate Japanese sword ("nihonto") fittings such as tsuba, menuki, and kozuka, as well as other small ornaments, sliding door catches, and small boxes.  Being that the style and technique of making these figures appears to be a real departure from what was being made from Tiffany at the time, it is very possible that these figures were part of a sword or box decoration at some point that were presented to the Tiffany studio as a private commission.  

There was a lot of Asian influence in Western design and jewellery during this period as many wealthy Americans and Europeans embarked on lavish 'world tours'.  Upon returning home there was a call to have momentos from these life changing experiences, and this then also had an effect on the designers of the great houses at the time.  Metals, gemstones, patterns and designs began to be adopted by names such as Cartier, Gorham and Lacloche, to name but a few.

The cufflinks are fully signed on the back of each panel Tiffany & Co. along with markings for solid eighteen carat gold.  They are presented in what possibly could be their original box, as Tiffany used a similar colour palette for their boxes during this time.  Although, the back of the silk is not marked.  However, they are accompanied by this beautiful period correct box which showcases them perfectly.  They are believed to have been made circa 1890-1900 and are in excellent original condition.  These are a perfect addition to a cufflink collection, anyone with interest in Japanese history and culture, or an individual looking for a rare and unique pair of cufflinks.


Price $4,800.00

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Item Dimensions
Panel Length
.75 inches (0.0cm)
Panel Width
.5 inches (0.0cm)