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 signet ring with an opal.  This clasically designed signet, or 'pinkie' ring is set with a stunning center stone. The large stone with natural matrices is alive with colour and is spellbinding to look at. The opal gets its name from the Latin word ‘Opalus’, but is believed to have originated from the Sanskrit word Upala, meaning ‘precious stone’.

Opal is a stone wrapped in legend, its story stretching across continents and centuries. The Romans once prized it above all other gems, a symbol of wealth and power reserved for emperors and the elite. For generations, royalty and aristocrats reached for opal’s shifting colors as a mark of distinction.

Greek myths say opals were born from Zeus’s tears—shed in grief, then hardened by the heavens into stone. Across the world, Indian mythology paints opal as sacred too: the shimmering remnants of the ‘Goddess of Rainbows’ herself, who turned to stone to escape the gods’ pursuit, leaving these luminous pieces behind as proof of her transformation.

Opals have always carried a bit of magic. Back in the Middle Ages, people believed slipping on an opal amulet could sharpen your mind, guard your memory, and even keep your eyesight strong. The stone’s real party trick, though? It was said to shift color depending on who was near—supposedly tipping you off to friends and betrayers alike.

White opals like this one are October’s signature gemstone and the stone linked to Libra, the zodiac’s ultimate romantic (thank Venus for that). Libras are all about love, connection, and keeping things beautiful and balanced. If you’re born under this sign, you probably put partnership and devotion on a pedestal. That’s why opal, known for stirring up passion and amplifying those secret feelings is the perfect stone for Libra. An opal ring isn’t just pretty; it’s a statement, a way to let your deepest emotions shine. This stone has a reputation for drawing out what’s hidden beneath the surface, turning quiet longing into undeniable desire.

The ring shank is very clean and simple without any adornment allowing the stunning center stone to be the main feature! The opal is approximately three and a half carats and has fabulous fire throughout.  The ring is very well made, solid and wears well on the finger. It is stamped "750" on the inside of the shank for eighteen carat gold. The current finger size is 7.75, but can be sized without issue.

Made in America, circa 1960's.


Price $5,700.00

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Item Dimensions
Ring Size
7.75 inches (19.685cm)