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 stainless steel and vitreous enamel ball point pen with  tonneau shape watch mounted to the end.  This very beautifully executed pen was created with Cartier's heritage very much at the fore.  It harks back to "peak Cartier" during the 1920's and '30's when objects of desire, such as this, were being continually created by the luxury atelier. 

The main body of the pen has a feathered style guilloche pattern engraved into it.  This is then covered with a sumptuous baby pink virtuous enamel.  This creates a magical and hardy surface over the pattern that allows light to pass over it.  This  engraved detail into the metal plays with the light.  It is quite captivating.  Designs and patterns such as this were very popular with Cartier during the early part of the 20th Century, as it carried on the magnificent work that leading houses, such as Fabergé, pioneered before them.

At the top of the pen is a tonneau shaped Cartier watch.  It is made to be easily lifted from the pen to replace the biro, when needed.  It is also by twisting the watch that the ball point nib appears from the end of the pen, being retracted by twisting in the opposite direction.  The movement inside is a quartz, meaning that there is no constant need to wind it, or keep it in motion to power an automatic power reserve.  Four small screws hold on the back plate which is where the battery can be changed, when required.  This back area, currently blank, can also be used to apply a message or personalisation, if so desired.

The dial is everything one comes to love about Cartier; it has a special mother of pearl dial, black Roman numerals with framed minute track, blue steeled hands and the discreet "hidden" signature.  This time located at the ten o'clock position.  The dial is signed  "Swiss" in the customary position, below the six o'clock marker. Another iconic and beautiful feature to the watch is the large, set onyx set into the crown, which unlike its watch counterpart, is set into the top of the case above twelve o'clock. 

The pen is signed "Cartier" to the top part of the steel above the enamel.  It is interesting to note it was produced in a limited edition run of two thousand pieces.  Each of which is uniquely numbered.  It is presented in perfect working condition, along with its original, burgundy leather, stamped "Carter Paris" pouch.  Made in the early 2000's, items such as these are now coming into their own as they approach vintage status, and are being harder to track down.


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Item Dimensions
Pen Length
5 inches (12.7cm)