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 eighteen carat yellow gold, vitreous enamel stick pin set with a series of old mine cut diamonds making up a harlequin.  This stunning and very rare pin is made from solid gold with vitreous enamel and has s series of old mine cut diamonds around the collar. The is the bust of harlequin. The quality is superb throughout, as one would expect from early Tiffany.  Often these types of stick pins are one sided, and flat on the back. However, this fabulous piece of history is fully three dimensional and is enameled on both sides, and the collar of diamonds also extends all the way around the collar and hair is painted brown.

Harlequin, the iconic comic servant character from the Italian commedia dell'arte, is closely associated with the city of Bergamo. The role is believed to have been introduced by the Italian actor-manager Zan Ganassa in the late 16th century, and was later definitively popularized by the Italian actor Tristano Martinelli in Paris during 1584-1585. Harlequin became a stock character after Martinelli's death in 1630.

Harlequin is characterized by his distinctive checkered costume and is known for his light-hearted, nimble, and astute persona. As a servant, he often acts to thwart the plans of his master while pursuing his own love interest, Columbine, with wit and resourcefulness, frequently competing with the more melancholic Pierrot. Over time, Harlequin evolved into a prototype of the romantic hero.

The Harlequin character is derived from a mischievous "devil" character in medieval Passion Plays, inheriting his physical agility, trickster qualities, and name. The Harlequin first appeared in Bergamo, Italy, in the early 17th century and later became the central figure in the Harlequinade genre, which was developed in the early 18th century by John Rich. As the Harlequinade became integrated into the English dramatic genre of pantomime, Harlequin was often paired with the character of Clown. Under the development of Joseph Grimaldi around 1800, Clown became the mischievous and brutish foil to the more sophisticated Harlequin. The most influential portrayals of the Harlequin character in Victorian England were by William Payne and his sons, the Payne Brothers, who were active during the 1860s and 1870s.

The stick pin will look great through a lapel, scarf or perhaps a tie.  This is a magnificent conversation piece to accessories any look, or a unique addition to any stick pin collection.  The pin is marked on the side of the pin; Tiffany & Co. and has been tested as eighteen carat yellow gold. There is some slight damage to the enamel, but it does not distract overall from the beauty and splendor of the piece.

It is made in America, and dates circa 1920's, as early Tiffany & Co. was often made in eighteen carat gold.


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Item Dimensions
Pin Length
3 inches (7.62cm)