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 small sterling silver bowl with lattice worked border.  This charming little bowl, or dish is a simple, yet charming piece of silver work from one of the finest names in American silver.  It could be perfect for by the door for keys and change, or by the bed as a vide poche.  To understand this piece first, one must understand the company that made it.

Shreve & Co. is considered one of the oldest retail firms in the United States and California.  The history of Shreve & Co. in San Francisco, California, dates back to 1852 when jeweler George C. Shreve and his nephew Samuel S. Shreve opened the Shreve Jewelry Company at 110 Montgomery Street. The brothers moved to San Francisco from New York to take advantage of the city's wealth from the California Gold Rush. George had been trained as a goldsmith by his half-brother, Benjamin Shreve, who co-founded Shreve, Crump & Low in Boston

During this period, Shreve & Co. developed its first line of flatware and published the first in a series of illustrated catalogs, featuring jewelry and novelties as well as an extensive silverware collection.  The brothers were well-positioned to succeed. George had been trained as a goldsmith by his older half-brother, Benjamin Shreve, one of the founders of Shreve, Crump & Low in Boston. The two filled the store with silver objects, European fancy goods, and fine jewelry. During the 1880s, the firm established itself as one of the foremost producers of fine silver in America, specializing in Arts & Crafts designs.  Shreve’s pieces were handsomely finished, often featuring hand hammering and cut-out designs. The business prospered, and the store moved to a new location on Market Street.

In 1894, George’s son inherited the business and took on a new partner, Albert Lewis. Now renamed Shreve and Company, the firm relocated in March of 1906 to a newly constructed earthquake-proof building on Post and Grant. When the great earthquake struck one month later, the building, unlike most others in the city, stood. After the earthquake, the firm moved to Oakland for two years while the building’s interior was restored. When restoration was complete, business returned to normal for about a decade. Shreve again closed its doors during World War I, as its silversmiths  were put to work manufacturing airplane parts. It reopened in 1918. Since then, despite several changes in ownership, the store has remained an important source of au courant fine jewelry and silver in San Francisco.

Again during World War Two Shreve & Co. contributed  to the war effort, enlisted to produce airplane parts. After the end of the war the company resumed business and continued on its path of growth, later becoming part of the Dayton-Hudson corporation.

Many of Shreve's spectacular pieces were used by presidents, business tycoons, establishment families, and those same pieces now belong in museums and private collections around the world.The company has worked with many famous people, including President Theodore Roosevelt, who commissioned Shreve to make a 10-inch solid gold teddy bear as a gift from the citizens of San Francisco.

It is also very well worth noting that In 1887, Shreve & Co. became the second American jeweler to represent Patek Philippe luxury Swiss timepieces. The company's philosophy of having a global perspective for jewelers' discerning eyes helped it become a leader in the field of luxury Swiss timepieces

Today, Shreve & Co. holds the distinction of being the oldest retail firms in the state of California and one of the oldest retail firms in the country.

Although a simple piece, the quality is excellent, as is the condition throughout.  The piece is fully sttamped on the back with the Shreve makers mark, and a product reference number.  Made in America circa 1900.


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