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 engine turned match vesta, or safe, with cigarette, or joint, dispenser.  This is a stunning and exceptionally rare piece from arguably the finest luxury retail and silversmith in the United Kingdom during the twentieth century; Asprey & Co..  The box has a double hinged lid. Opening the top lid exposes the match safe, or vesta, with striking plate on the underside of the lid.  There is a small lip on the side edge of this which then exposes the interior element to the cigarette dispenser.  From the top a number of cigarettes, or joints, can be loaded into the body.  At the base of the box is a hinged feeding door which draws one down and hands it to the finger tips neatly, while holding the rest inside the box.  Simply close it back up to seal.  An ingenious design, beautifully made and of the highest quality.

The exterior of the box on the front and tow slim sides is fully engine turned.  A process of engraving the silver body of the box with a pattern into the silver. In this case it is known as "Barley" pattern.  Not only does this add a level of decoration to the box, but it also allows for greater purchase on the piece if needed. The back of the box has a clip.  Such is the size of the piece, not that it is overly big, it is likely that it would have been made to clip into the interior of a car.  Asprey, amoung other luxury retailers at the time, made a number of pieces like this for us in the car.  It is important to remember during this period, that the majority of well heeled individuals did not drive themselves, and accordingly spent time in the spacious and luxurious rear cabins of their vehicle's.  Therefore they would want as many of their creature comforts from home to also be available in their cars.

The box is fully hallmarked for having been made by Asprey & Co. ltd. in London, England in 1926.  This very much suits a piece like this.  It was made during a period in which there was no liit to excess in the world of the rich and famous.  Every need would be tended to and done so in a luxurious nature.  

Although initially designed for the car, or plane, it is not ludicrous to assume that this piece could be placed inside a bag, or even attached to a belt, or inside a larger overcoat, or outer wear piece.

The condition of the dispenser is superb throughout, especially given that is fast approaching one hundred years of age.  A superb piece from a remarkable time in design and manufacturing history, the likes of which will not be seen again.  Modern in design, it would not look out of place in any environment.  A testament to its beauty and quality.


Price $1,695.00

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Item Dimensions
Height
3.5 inches (8.89cm)