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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sterling silver table lighter with cigar, or cigarette holder.  This is one of the finest, and most beautifully made smoking accessories for any home.  It is designed to be easily moved around, thanks to the handle.  It very much has a 'genie lamp' style with the lamp element at the end, the handle at the opposing end, and then the round holder on the body.  This holding, basket area has a central sterling divider which allows one to break up either by size or by contents!  Or, simply just fill one area.


The idea of pieces like this were for it to be transported easily into the room where people were retiring too, perhaps after dinner.  The lighter, lamp portion, comprises of a small sterling bottle with the wick protruding from the top.  This can be filled with lighter fluid, and then simply left lit for as long as is required.  This allows for people to light their desired smoke from, and also provides a pleasant ambient light source.

A superb quality throughout and sterling silver throughout, with each area having an assay mark.  It has a good weight to it, meaning it is not easily toppled or 'flimsy'.  As an object its own right it is a very handsome looking piece.  When filled it is quite the conversation piece.  A must have for any smoker who likes to entertain.

It is full of English control assay hallmarks dating the piece to having been made in London, England, in 1883 by Louis Dee.  Dee was a silversmith known for making a number of pieces for the home, but also was highly regarded for his smoking accessories and chamber-sticks.  It is easy to see that based on this piece, which is essentially combination of the two. 

There is another curious engraving which is hand engraved on the base. This reads “Love & Harvey 35bd des Capucines”.  This is a famous boulevard in Paris, and during this time period it was home to legendary French photographer, Nadar.  Nadar’s real name was Gaspard-Félix Tournachon, and was a remarkable individual for a number of reasons.  He was a journalist, caricaturist and photographer among other things!  He was the first person to ever take an aerial photograph in 1858.  He also lent his studio to a group of painters to present the first exhibition of Impressionist artists in Paris, April 1874.  It is assumed that the ground floor below his studio held this retailer, “Love & Harvey”, although nothing can be gleaned from this.  However, items such as this with engraved retail names is how the early store branding was undertaken.  Most chic.  Either way, whether this piece was in Nadar’s studio, or in the same building, it is an interesting additional element to the history of it.

The condition of the object is exceptional throughout, which is quite remarkable for a piece that would have been transported around, and well used back in the Victorian era, and is this year celebrating its one hundred and fiftieth anniversary.  It has been beautifully preserved and is ready to be enjoyed for another one hundred years, or more.


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Item Dimensions
Length
8 inches (20.32cm)
Height
3.5 inches (8.89cm)