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 chromium plated pinched, Haig style, three sided cocktail shaker.  This is a cocktail shaker based on the famous Haig whisky bottle fondly known as either the 'dimple' or 'pinch' bottle.  This bottle came to market first in 1892 and was a very popular import in the American market at the turn of the twentieth century.  There is no doubt that this design, apparently based on the shape of a collapsed still, was the inspiration for this distinctive cocktail shaker.  The patent for the design was applied for January 11th 1927 by the Meriden International Silver Plate Co.

The    cocktail shaker comprises of the 'traditional' three parts; base for pouring ice and ingredients into, the lid which  encompasses a strainer, and then the top lid which is needed for decanting the finished cocktail through, keeping the ice out of the glass, acting as the strainer.  This shaker features new lid design.  Called the "Insico Stopper" with both a US and Canadian patent, it was introduced to improve and replace the popular and commonly found cork based lids.  It was marketed as being more hygienic, easier to clean and unlike the cork options, it would not shrink or become odorous over time.  Also, the cork stoppers were prone to damage as they became softer when wet, and more brittle when dry, after time.  The three pinched panels each feature the iconic image of the   cockerel engraved into them.    The             cockerel was a popular motive added to a number of bar pieces during the Art Deco movement.  Perhaps simply being close in sound to the word 'cocktail'!

Meriden International Silver Plate Co., along with another notable cocktail shaker producer, Derby International, originate from  Meriden, Connecticut. This part of America, from 1852, became the heartland of the American silver manufacturing industry. The 1887 Meriden Britannia catalog had over four hundred pages of items being offered. This included no less than twelve pages of barware. Meriden became known as "Silver City" and by the end of the 20th Century had sales of over $2.5 million a year. During the "Roaring" and supposedly dry! twenties" the International silver Company had offices located in Canada, England and across the US. They began to move away from traditional designs and employed designers like Rhode and Guild to come up with pieces that reflected the modern world emerging around them.

This is one of the most iconic and important pieces of barware history.  Probably the most important book compiled on vintage barware by Stephen Visakay features most of the all time greats on the subject, with this shaker included on page thirty nine.  The shaker is in superb condition throughout with a tight lid.  It is a very useable size, and practical for even making one good cocktail.  Made in America, circa 1927.


Price $1,500.00

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Item Dimensions
Height
9 inches (22.86cm)
Width
6 inches (15.24cm)