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

Shopping Bag

Your cart is empty.


A piece of steel rope paperweight.  This is a fascinating little piece of American industrial history.  It is a cross section of steel rope that the company Broderick & Bascom (B & B) built their business in.  These paper weights were both a form of early advertising and small functional desk accessory.  A great way to keep in the mind, and eye line, of your clients, and a way to put the business in the minds of prospective ones.

The B & B factory began in Saint Louis, Missouri, in 1876 as the building of Capt. Eads bridge was undergoing construction.  The pair of men teamed up with hemp rope maker William Mentz and set forward to manufacture steel rope for the bridge's construction.  The process was very much by hand at the start, with the longest piece of hand made cable running a staggering four thousand feet long! 

By 1951 the company owned and operated factories in St Louis, Seattle, Peoria and Houston.  Branch office and warehouse stocks are also maintained in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Portland, Oregon.  Distributors serving hundreds of industrial centers across the world.  Due to the importation of cheaper steel, and the rise of unions the business scaled down to one plant in Sedalia, still suppling cables today to the iconic cable cars of San Francisco and rope to U.S Navy, and rather important "catch cables" on their aircraft carriers. 

In 1904 the company exhibited at the Worlds Fair, held in St. Louis, at the Palace of Manufacturers, picking up an award.  It is noted that by 1905 they were a pioneer in wire rope manufacturing and were employing over two hundred employees.  Their products were at the core of most of the country's industrial output, in some form or another.  Being used in mining, oil excavation, cable cars, construction of high rise buildings, in docks and switch ropes for the expanding railway network.  Essentially, it would be fair to say, most of what drove the industrial revolution in America had a B & B cable involved somewhere along the line.  Quite a remarkable story.  They also contributed greatly during the War effort.  During the 2nd World War B & B was awarded the Navy "E" for excellence, and presented a special flag from the Navy.

A fascinating piece, in its own right.  Although not being very tall, the weight of it is quite surprising.  One could only imagine what a spool of it would weigh.  It has certainly seen some use over the years, but that adds to the 'industrial' charm of it.  Looking at the base of the weight reveals all the cross sections of the different wires woven around the central rope column.  The company name is stamped into the top steel ring, and there is a patent stamp on the side for December 10th 1895.


Price $95.00

×

Enquire
Item Dimensions
Title
Default Title inches (0.0cm)