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 twenty one carat yellow gold snake ring set with cabochon sapphire. This is an amazing, rare and earely very high carat example of a design that has been around for thousands of years. The ring comprises of a snake that wraps around your finger. Its head features a cabochon sapphire, and hand engraved details to the rest of the head.

As popular now as ever with fashion designers and jewellery designers alike, the serpent has captured the imagination and nightmares of humans since the dawn of time.It emerged in ancient Egypt, where the serpent was revered as a symbol of divine protection and cosmic balance. The ouroboros, a snake eating its own tail, appeared here as a symbol of eternal return, death feeding life. In ancient Greece, it symbolized healing, medicine, and immortality. Asklepios, the god of medicine, carried a staff with a serpent wrapped around it. The snake posed more than a threat. There was an answer. During Queen Victoria's reign, the snake ring had become fashion gospel. When Prince Albert proposed to her in 1839 with a gold snake ring topped with an emerald, her birthstone, it sparked a craze. The serpent became a symbol of eternal, unbroken love. The snake circled the heart, not to constrict it, but to honour it.

Snakes were both protectors and destroyers to the Egyptians. To represent sovereignty, pharaohs wore the stylized cobra, known as the uraeus, on their foreheads. Serpents were linked to gods such as Wadjet, who guarded the throne and the Nile. Originally made of faience, bronze, or gold, snake rings were worn as amulets rather than accessories. The snake was viewed as both dangerous and regenerative by the Greeks. A snake regenerates after losing its skin. It creeps from one world to another. In order to facilitate the transition into the afterlife, snake rings were worn to commemorate this transformation and were frequently interred with the deceased. As always practical, the Romans used the serpent ring as a talisman and ornament. They frequently set snake rings on people because they thought they would protect them from the evil eye.

More than just a sentimental memento, Queen Victoria's engagement ring of a gold snake ring with ruby eyes and an emerald head. It served as a warning to the fashion industry. All of a sudden, snake jewelry was personal rather than enigmatic or macabre. The sentimental gem was born at this time. In the form of coiling serpents, lovers traded rings that were frequently inscribed with birthstones, initials, or coded messages. It should come as no surprise that these designs are still among the most treasured ones in existence today. In addition to being beautiful, a vintage snake ring from this era—especially one that is gold or set with gems—carries a sort of poetic tension between loyalty and loss, life and death.

This ring is presented in fabulous condition. it is very high carat gold, and so very heavy for a ring of its appearance. We have tested the metal with a termal gun, so it is 100% accurate. It is also a large size. It is currently a finger size 10.5. It can be resized if needed.

European made, circa 1890's. 


Price $3,450.00

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Item Dimensions
Height of front
.33 inches (0.0cm)