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 brass and gilt, linen finished desk compendium.  This stunning and exceptional quality piece features a clock, barometer, thermometer, and Hygrometer on each of the four sides, and is set with a compass on the top.  Each of the four windows is set with a polished gold plated brass smooth bezel which contrasts well against the linen case and dial.  The sloped base which the cube sits on a ball joint allowing for it to be easily turned.

These “Weather Stations” as they were commonly known, were the height of luxury for any wealthy home to have on a desk, or in the library.  This particular model was made to be retailed by the American luxury retailer; Abercrombie & Fitch.  The compendium itself was Swiss made, and would have been contracted out by Abercombie to a specialist making pieces like this.  It was during this time that A & F was partnering with a select few luxury Swiss watch makers such as Heuer mainly but also Rolex and Movado.  The piece is not signed by the maker, but it would likely have all been made by Imhoff. They specialised in making instruments like this at the time for a host of luxury retail outlets.  Such is the quality, and finishing.

The clock itself is a mechanical eight day fifteen jewel caliber 244 movement made by Imhoff.  A beautiful gold plated linen dial with classic stick hour markers, with the quarter hours painted black, along with the hands, signed “Abercrombie & Fitch”, and “Swiss” just below the six also in a bold black print. The time is set and wound by pulling out the clock from the edges.  This is how the other pieces are accessed, in the back via removing the clock element.


Desk compendiums were very popular with wealthy and important figures throughout the twentieth century, were made by, and sold through a number of luxury retailers.  Examples have been found with different brand names on the dials such as; ‘Kirby Beard Paris’ (an old English retailer who established a luxury boutique in Paris in 1878), ‘Hermès’, Asprey and Cartier amongst the notable ones.   This Abercrombie piece is very rare, especially in its presented condition.


The piece is excellent throughout.  The linen finish, akin to what was found on Rolex dials at the time, makes the compendium have depth, and is very unlike anything else made in this style.  They tended to be a lot more ‘traditional’.  It makes it feel a lot more modern, considering the moment in time it was made. Made in Switzerland, circa 1970’s.


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Item Dimensions
Height
3.25 inches (8.255cm)
Depth
3 inches (7.62cm)