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

Scene 1:
‘Morning’
Scene 2:
‘Noon’
Scene 3:
‘Evening’
Scene 4:
‘Night’
The End

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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Gold Citrine Signet Ring

Gold Citrine Signet Ring


A solid gold and citrine signet ring. This is a very old style tabled design with a classic cushion shaped, heraldic hand carved citrine . This iconic style ring, worn by noblemen and kings for centuries, is made in ten carat yellow gold. This type of design is a departure from much of what is found in more modern designs. It sits proudly on the finger and was designed this way to be easier to use as a seal into wax and alike. The design brings the stunning stone to the fore. 

The signet ring is one of the oldest forms of personal adornment, worn not for decoration alone but as a mark of identity and authority. Its origins trace back over four thousand years to ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, where carved stones or metal rings bore family crests, symbols, or hieroglyphs used to seal documents in wax or clay. The impression served as a personal signature, authenticating ownership and intent long before written signatures became common.

During the classical and medieval periods, the signet evolved into a symbol of lineage and social standing. Noble families and monarchs guarded their signet rings closely, as their imprint carried legal power. By the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, signet rings had become refined personal heirlooms, often engraved with coats of arms, monograms, or allegorical motifs.

Today, the signet remains both personal and timeless. Whether cut in stone, engraved in gold, or left plain, it retains the same purpose: a reflection of the individual. It endures as one of the few forms of jewellery that speaks as much to identity as to design, linking its wearer to a lineage of craftsmanship and history that spans millennia.

Citrine has been valued for centuries for its warmth of colour and quiet optimism. Its name comes from the French citron, meaning lemon, though its hues range from pale gold to deep honey. The stone has long been associated with clarity, creativity, and the energy of the sun, offering a gentle radiance rather than brilliance.

In antiquity, citrine was often mistaken for topaz and was prized by the Greeks and Romans, who carved it into intaglios and signet rings. During the nineteenth century it became a favourite of European jewellers, who admired its subtle transparency and ability to complement both yellow and white gold. It later found renewed popularity in the bold, geometric designs of the Art Deco period

The large hand engraved crest is wonderfully executed, covering most of the stone, and strikes well into a seal.  The condition is good, it is worn, but shows no damage.  It can be brought up to a high shine if required, but the choice is made to leave this in a 'as found' condition to keep the integrity of an old piece.  The ring is likely American made, is a US size 7.5 ring size, but can easily be sized if needed.  

Made in America, circa 1920's.

Price $0.00

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Item Dimensions
Front of ring width
0.6975 inches (1.77165cm)
Front of ring height
0.8335 inches (2.11709cm)