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 solid eighteen carat yellow gold engine turned pocket miniature lighter.  This is a stunning and exceptionally rare piece from arguably the finest luxury retail and silversmith in the United Kingdom during the twentieth century; Asprey & Co..  The lighter has a hinged lid. Opening the lid exposes the the flint wheel for striking the flint, and the cotton wick.  Simply roll the finger, or thumb, along the wheel to create the spark to light the fuel soaked wick.

The exterior of the body is fully engine turned.  A process of engraving the silver body of the box with a pattern into the silver. In this case it is known as "Barley" pattern.  Not only does this add a level of decoration to the box, but it also allows for greater purchase on the piece if needed. The quality of the piano hinge work is second to none.  Exquisitely hidden into the back edge and done so that it appears not to be there once closed.  This was Asprey's workshop at its finest, and most delicate.  A real gem of a piece.  So beautful in the hand, and easy to use.  The lighter runs on lighter fuel, so stil obtainable today, easy to manatin and a pleasure to use.  There is a small screw toward the back of the lighter, inside, that is unscrewed to fill the reservoir with fuel.  To replace the flint, also easy to obtain today, simply pul out the flint wheel.

The lighter is fully hallmarked for having been made by Asprey & Co. ltd. in London, England in 1933.  This very much suits a piece like this.  It was made during a period in which there was no limit to excess in the world of the rich and famous.  Every need would be tended to and done so in a luxurious nature.  A pocket lighter this size in not nine, as is often the case in England, but eighteen carat gold was truley a piece of excess.  The likelihood of misplacing a precious lighter this size, let alone others having sticky fingers, makes for this luxurious item a truly frivulrous item for the person that had it all!

The lighter is in remarkable condition given that often they would be dropped or placed into a bag or pocket with change.  There is no scratching to the engine turning, and all corners are strong and without damage.  Asprey & Co., like Alfred Dunhill, were lauded for their high quality smoking accessories.  However, this size and shape is very rare indeed.  This is, in fact, the first example in this size we have been fortunate to handle.  A real thing of beauty. 


Price $3,450.00

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Item Dimensions
Height
1.15 inches (2.921cm)
Width
.23 inches (0.0cm)