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

Shopping Bag

Your cart is empty.


A solid nine carat yellow gold, engine turned match vesta or pill box by Asprey & Co.  A very special and superb quality solid gold small match box, or vesta case with a hidden opening. This is the height of simplicity, but an example in quality. The way this most simple of pieces has been made is a thing of wonder. There is not the typical approach to box making made here; exposed hinge, thumb indented lift. This opening has a somewhat 'magic' way to exposing its contents that is not immediately apparent. The lid has to be slid a few millimeters and then the hinge is exposed enough to for the internal spring to lift it up. Originally designed as a match vesta, or case, for non-safety matches, with a striking plate at one end, today it could be used as a pill box, or a small box for containing anything desired.

The piece was made for and retailed by Asprey. This company, still in existence today, are the Cartier of England. Everything that they made was, and remains today, exceptional quality. This is why their vintage pieces stand the test of time, and work as well today as they did the year they were manufactured. The piece is in excellent condition, with the fine engine turning on the body still crisp and without damage.  There are full assay control marks for Asprey and '375' nine carat on the inside. The choice of nine carat gold over anything higher is due to this being a more durable and stronger gold than higher, softer carats. A piece like this that would have been well used, passed around, and undoubtably dropped!, needed to be strong. It has the makers mark for Frederick Thomas Buckthorpe.  Buckthorpe was a specialist box and case maker, so Asprey leaned on their expertise to create this little work of art. It has a date letter dating it to having been made in 1925, during the onset of the Art Deco period. It very much has that feel.

Although small in size, both handling and using this piece is very satisfying. It is so beautifully made, it is likely to last at least another one hundred years before it may even begin to look 'used', such is the quality. Even the design, for a piece nearly one hundred years old has the look of something very contemporary. A useful small travel box that has surpassed its initial intent to simply carry and strike matches. It is now very much a small work of   art.


Price $2,750.00

×

Enquire
Item Dimensions
Width
1.25 inches (3.175cm)
Length
1.85 inches (4.699cm)