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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An olive green crocodile and sterling silver large wallet. This is a stunning and very early unused, or "New Old Stock" leather accessory from when Gucci was starting to take the luxury world by storm. The 1950's was a very exciting time for Gucci in terms of both products being introduced; the iconic horse-bit loafer. It saw the opening of the first store in Milan. ThenGucci becomes a pioneer of Italian design in the U.S. when Aldo opens the first American store in the Savoy Plaza Hotel on East 58th Street in New York. This is likely where this wallet was purchased from.

The skin used on the outside of the wallet is Crocodylus porosus. This particular species of crocodile is sourced from Asia or Australia, and is characterized by a tiny, distinct pore close to the edge of each of each scale, giving the species its name.This pore is a remnant of a hair follicle. Alligators have no pores. It is a very fine and small scale so from the belly of a smaller crocodile.

Acting as a clip to secure the wallet is a sterling silver hinged closure. On the front of which is set a real, original silver Denarius Roman coin. The coin is a very interesting off-struck silver piece on one side featuring on one side a Roman portrait, and on the other side a chariot being led by a number of horses. It is believed to be a coin minted by Julius Brusio in 85 B.C. It is very interesting to see Gucci using Roman coins in there earlier pieces, as this is something that today we only associate with Bulgari. This makes this a very compelling pieces of early Gucci design.

The wallet is accompanied by its original card outer box which has a beautiful and unusual Gucci logo and font printed to it. Also, note only four locations; Florence, Rome, Milan and New York at this time. The piece is accompanied by a note card envelope with an address on the back from a Mr. George Haggarty from Detroit. If this is the same Mr. Haggarty, was an American basketball and baseball player, track athlete, golfer, horse racing advocate, and attorney. He was the winner of the retrospective Mr. Basketball of Michigan award as the best basketball player in Michigan during 1921. He won the 1966 United States Seniors' Golf Association championship. He was also an attorney with the Detroit law firm of Dickinson Wright for 20 years. This adds a great history to the background of who purchased this beautiful wallet.

A beautiful piece of not only fashion history, but also Gucci history. It is wonderful to see this early logo on the original packaging. To find pieces from Gucci unused, in perfect condition is a real rarity. With the brand having undergone a renaissance of late, it only adds to the splendor of this piece. It illustrates the quality and workmanship that made this brand one of the super powers in fashion for over a century.


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Item Dimensions
Length
3.5 inches (8.89cm)
Width
6.75 inches (17.145cm)