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 sterling silver easel back photograph frame made in the form of a life preserver and an anchor.  This is as exceptional, not to mention early, an example of a nautical themed photograph frame one is likely to find.  Simple in design, but masterfully made.  The frame element is a life preserver with hand braided silver wire rope detailing wrapping around it, and the easel back being a beautifully shaped anchor.

Another wonderful, and totally original detail to the frame is the bale at the top of the anchor.  This allows the piece to leave a desk and be hung on a wall once the boat leaves port.  The link itself is totally original and has its original English assay mark stamped on it.

This frame has full English assay marks on it, dating it from 1896.  This Victorian piece is unusual to contain, what went on to become known as, a 'life preserver'.  Originally developed by Norwegian sailors, it was only when organisations like Britain's Royal National Lifeboat Institution started using life preservers that their use became widespread. By 1855 the the institution was using the Kisbee ring, a type of ring buoy invented by Lt. Thomas Kisbee, and a cork life belt, invented by Navy Cmdr. J.R. Ward in 1854.  So, the frame of the ring here would have been a form of a 'Kisbee Ring'.

The frame was made in Birmingham, England by the silversmiths Albert Cohen & Charles Solomon trading as Cohen & Charles & Co..  They were silversmiths of note who produced a catalog of beautiful pieces of silver up until the late 1960's.  The frame is in excellent condition, all original and bearing a number of hallmarks thought the piece, along with a registration mark.  This is always good to see as these tended to only be added to finer pieces.  

This is the perfect piece for a summer home, or even aboard a boat, especially due to the fact it can be hung in times of choppier water.  There are a few small dents through, and where the bale folds into the frame when in the easel position.  However, none detract from the piece and are evidence of its over its nearly one hundred and twenty five year life!  


Price $1,575.00

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Item Dimensions
Height
5 inches (12.7cm)
Width
3.75 inches (9.525cm)