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

Scene 1:
‘Morning’
Scene 2:
‘Noon’
Scene 3:
‘Evening’
Scene 4:
‘Night’
The End

Early and Rare Sterling Silver Gorham Martini Mixing Bucket

Golf Cocktail Shaker
and Matching Golf Bag Cup

Sterling Silver Woven Bottle Coaster

Foundwell

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CRAFTED GOODS & PURVEYOR OF ANTIQUE WATCHES,
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Native American Silver Bead Necklace

Native American Silver Bead Necklace


A sterling silver bead necklace. This is a fine and quite early example of a Native American, hand-made bead necklace. These types of necklaces have been a popular adornment for members of various Native American's for hundreds of years. This example is no different. It features a long pinched oval bead, flanked by round ball squashed bead. All of these beads run a fine sterling silver chain. This is much more resilient than cord or more modern stringing techniques. 

Each Native American tribe has its own distinctive jewelry-making style, a testament to the rich cultural diversity of the region. While artists from tribes like the Navajo, Zuni, Hopi, and Santo Domingo have at times ventured beyond their traditional aesthetics, their respective jewelry-making techniques remain the hallmarks of their enduring artistic legacies.

The Zuni are renowned for their mastery of mosaic, channel inlay, cluster, needlepoint, and petit point designs, showcasing a dazzling array of stones and shells. The Navajo, on the other hand, are famed for their iconic Squash Blossom Necklaces, featuring large turquoise, coral, and other stones framed by intricate scrolls, beads, and leaf patterns in sterling silver. As the largest producers of Native American jewelry, the Navajo have elevated this art form to new heights.

In contrast, the Hopi silversmiths favor the overlay technique, rarely incorporating stones, and instead relying on the interplay of oxidized backgrounds and polished silver designs to create their distinctive pieces. The Santo Domingo, with their centuries-old bead-making traditions, incorporate seashells, turquoise, jet, and coral into their captivating jewelry, with each painstakingly hand-crafted Heishi bead testament to their unwavering dedication.

Underpinning the diverse jewelry traditions of these tribes is the use of sterling silver, a malleable alloy of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper, which allows for the intricate craftsmanship that has come to define Native American jewelry.

From the northern reaches of Arizona and New Mexico to the pueblos of New Mexico, the American Southwest is the vibrant canvas upon which these tribes have honed their artistic mastery, passing down their skills and cultural legacies from one generation to the next. Whether in formal schools or within the cherished confines of family workshops, the enduring spirit of Native American jewelry-making continues to captivate and inspire.

The necklace measures twenty six inches in length. It features a traditional hook and eye clasp. The condition is excellent overall and has a great patina to the silver, which should be left as found.

Made in America, circa 1960's.

Price $395.00

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Item Dimensions
Chain Length
26 inches (66.04cm)