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

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A 1950’s Hermès suede clutch with solid 18 karat gold hardware. Understated from a distance, and immediately serious up close, this is Hermès at its most architectural: a long, clean silhouette in deep suede, finished with a sculptural clasp that does the talking. This bag has one very unique feature. The front buckle designed hardare is actually a solid eighteen carat yellow gold removable clip or brooch. It can be also worn as a piece of jewellery. This clip falls into line with the jewellery collection Hermés was producion at the time. If one looks at the bracelets and pins made in their jewellery collection, this design repeats itself. To find it integrated into a bag is rather unique, and quite the statement piece.

The shape is all proportion and restraint, with a softly curved flap and a firm, structured body that sits flat in the hand. The contrast between matte suede and high-polish gold is the point, elegant, tactile, and unmistakably of the era.

In the 1970s, Hermès handbag design stayed true to the house’s original priorities: function, proportion, and materials that wear beautifully over time. The silhouettes are quietly structured, with clean geometry and hardware that feels more architectural than decorative.

Branding is restrained, with identity carried through leather choice, stitching, and the way a closure is engineered. It is also a decade where Hermès pushes practical formats forward, including the long, purposeful clutch and the riding-department shoulder bag, both built to be used, not just admired.

The result is a very specific kind of luxury: disciplined lines, tactile finishes, and details that hold up to scrutiny.

A rare material and hardware pairing from Hermès, made with the same priorities the house is known for: precision, permanence, and quiet confidence. There has not been another example of this bag with solid gold hardware to come to market in recent history. There is a chance that this bag was a custom order for a VIP client back in the 1970's. Perhaps they took an existing silhouette and added this hardware, or the entire design was unique. Research has not uncovered another.

The bag interior is finished in the fiest and most soft luxurious calf skin. It has a central divider, interior zip pocket and is made in an accordion fashion opening up to nearly three inches in depth, meaning it is actually very useful in size. 

The condition overall is excellent, especially given its nearly sixty year age. There is the option to add a shoulder strap to the bag, but the bag did not come with any strap. If so desired Hermés will likely custom make one to add to a piece of their history. The solid eighteen carat yellow gold clip is fully signed with both makers marks, French poinçon marks and the hand engraved Hermés name that was customary at the time in its jewellery. The bag is also stamped in gold foil on the interior of the lip of the bag.

Height: 5.25 inches / 17 cm
Width: 8.75 nches / 15 cm
Depth: 3 inches / 12 cm

Price $21,500.00

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Item Dimensions
Width
8.75 inches (22.225cm)
Height
5.25 inches (13.335cm)