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, magnified glass equestrian themed desk accessory.  This is a beautifully made piece that is also very functional.  The magnification of the lens is quite strong, so anything placed underneath is brought to a very legible size. The piece is also quite heavy due to the thick piece of glass and silver frame surrounding it, therefore making it a great paperweight as well.  The riding spur serves as a comfortable and sturdy way to move the piece, or to pick it up by.  

The piece was made by the French manufacturers Henin & Cie. At the heart of Paris in the 19th century, within the Marais—the city’s historic jewellery quarter—stood the workshops of Henin & Cie. Here, amidst streets once walked by nobility, the house produced jewels and silver of extraordinary refinement. Their mastery of gold and silver was such that they were appointed jewellers to the king and his court, a natural recognition of their craft.

The story of Henin unfolds through a succession of names and partnerships, each chapter marked in silver and gold by its own hallmark. Thomas & Hénin first appear in 1861, their rosebud-and-star signature registered on Rue des Archives. By 1865, the firm had become Hénin Frères, followed by Hénin & Fils in 1872, each evolution preserving the family’s pursuit of excellence.

In 1875, the name Hénin & Cie was born, enduring until 1891 when a new association with Vivier was formed. The hallmark shifted once again, as did the story, with Hénin & Vivier later collaborating with Apollo—the venerable Parisian silversmiths established in 1796. By 1896, the firm returned to its familiar name, Hénin & Cie, closing the century with the same quiet strength with which it began.

These jewels and silverwares remain today as evidence of a golden era of Parisian craftsmanship—objects not merely of beauty, but of lineage, bearing the marks of one of France’s most distinguished maisons.

The piece is fully singed on the spur of the paper weight, as well as being signed on the frame also. There is also a sterling French Minerva mark. These pueces are nomally much later than this, and made in silver plate by Ravinet D'Enfert. This is a very rare model indeed, and in sterling. 

Condition is excellent throughout.  Made in France, circa 1960's.


Price $3,250.00

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Item Dimensions
Width
4 inches (10.16cm)
Height
3.5 inches (8.89cm)