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 large and heavy cast metal, silver plated table lighter in the form of a petrol can. This is an exceptionally rare and quite special object. It takes its form from the German container designed in the 1930's to transport fuel. "Jerry cans", the moniker they were attributed, were originally called Wehrmacht-Einheitskanister (which roughly translates as an 'armed forces unit canister') and were first made in Germany. They were needed to carry large amounts of fuel to the army vehicles, without the need for tools and funnels. The original fuel jerry cans had 3 handles, so that the soldiers could carry 2 of them using just 1 hand. They were also designed to be stackable, which made it easy for them to be transported. Instead of welding steel, these cans were made from 2 pieces of stamped steel that could interlock, therefore making it impossible for them to leak. The lids were attached to the can, and there was no need for funnels and spouts.

During World War Two the Allied Forces had a more inferior fuel cans. They were made using thinner steel that was welded together. This meant that they were very prone to leaking and easily punctured, not ideal in a war like setting. As well as the flaws in the material, the Allied petrol cans needed to be opened with a wrench and required a funnel and spout to dispense the fuel inside. As a result of the German version being superior it was very much in demand and taken where possible by the Allied forces. The name "Jerry" was a slang name for German armed forces members during the war.  Hence the moniker the "Jerry can".

With regard to this particular table lighter. It takes its design directly from the popular petrol can. The three handles at the top, "X" pattern stamped into the body each side and the overall shape and the cap for emptying the fuel. In this case the area with the three handles hinges up to reveal the interesting double flint wheel, which pulls out in order to replace flints when needed. The wick screws into the to space behind the flint wheel which runs into the body of the can. The fuel cap is actually unscrewed to add the lighter fluid. There is a handy chain which attaches to the cap which will prevent it from being lost.

The base of the lighter is stamped; "JERRICAN, MARQUE ET MODELE DEPOSES, PARIS FRANCE’. The lighter was originally designed by Clodion, an important French manufacturer. There is also an exceptionally rare version ‘Jerrican’ model in a smaller, pocket size that was licensed and retailed by luxury French atelier; Boucheron, Paris. There are thought to be only eight of the gold pieces made. Of its larger table version, production numbers are unknown. However, they are also exceptionally rare, and seldom come to market.

The condition overall is excellent. There is some wear to the body in areas, but adds to the military look and appeal of the lighter. As mentioned prior it is a heavy and very well made piece. There are various hand stamped numbers stamped into the body on the different parts, common place with high quality made pieces. The lighter will work once filled with lighter fluid. Made in Paris, circa 1940's.


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Item Dimensions
Height
4 inches (10.16cm)
Width
3 inches (7.62cm)