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 sterling silver wrapped alligator three piece smoking set.  This is a superb, and exceptionally rare sterling silver set comprising of; table lighter, box, and ash tray.  Each piece has the trade mark, Versace Medusa head on the front, along with the Greek key pattern that featured heavily throughout Snr. Versace's iconic collections.

Perhaps one of the most desirable, and coveted designers of the 1990's, Gianni Versace expanded his empire out of his trademark fashion collections into home wares around 1992.  This coincided with him purchasing the former home of Standard Oil heir Alden Freeman, and the next door hotel; The Revere.  They were then transformed into a ten suite, luxury mansion.  Just the renovations alone saw Snr. Versace invest around $32 million, including gold plated tiles for the swimming pool.  No expense was spared, and he took his vision of luxury living to a new level. 

This is very much apparent in this smoking set, that would look perfectly at home on the coffee table of his house.  The sterling silver bodies of each piece are hand wrapped in the finest glossy, small scaled alligator skins which money can buy.  The lid of the large box is also wrapped in the skin.  Both the box and table lighter feature the Greek key pattern running along the top, the ash tray does not, featuring a plain silver rim.

Each piece is marked along the base edge with multiple marks for "925" sterling, the Gianni Versace mark, a makers mark, and a product reference number.  There are also marks on the Medusa head pieces.  Each piece is in exceptional, perhaps even unused condition. The lighter, gas powered electric, works.  The box is large enough to function for a number of uses, being six inches across.

This set is exceptionally rare.  Research has not turned up any other sets like this, demonstrating how unique it actually is.  Having been made during the life of Snr. Versace, none of these pieces were mass produced, and would have been exceptionally expensive to purchase from the boutiques, as a result.  A very iconic statement of 1990's fashion and exuberance, that is having a renaissance today.  Made in Italy, circa early 1990's.


Price $6,895.00

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