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 pair of 12 carat gold fill Ray Ban aviator wire arm, clear paddle ear stems, original bakelite nose pads, black glass lens sunglasses with original signed B&L snap stud style case.  This is a spectacular example of a pair of very early sunglasses from just after World War Two.  This type of early 'aviator' style sunglass was very popular with sportsman and hunters before the outbreak of the war, and then became an integral part of the pilot's uniform during combat.  The likes of General Douglas MacArthur was also seen sporting a similar pair throughout the war.

This model 1/10, from arguably the most well known name in the history of sunglass manufacturing, have a the classic paddle arm to keep the frame close tight to the head, without being uncomfortable.  The frame is not gold plated, but rather gold fill.   Unlike plating (aka electroplated or "dipped"), gold filled is legally required to contain 5% or 1/20 gold by weight. This 5% is then described by the karatage of the gold alloy.  Therefore it is more durable and has greater longevity.

The lenses themselves are a black tint, perhaps the most recognizable of all frames due to their use in Top Gun by most of the actors, but most notably, Tom Cruise.  They were adopted by the cast due to their popularity with N.A.S.A and U.S.A.F pilots since World War Two.

The 'aviator' frame was designed for pilots during WW2, and came in to replace the bulky and cumbersome pilot goggles that preceded the sunglass.  They were developed by American sopthamilc company; Bausch & Lomb.  Initially for military personnel, they become very popular with sportsman and motor racing enthusiasts, before making their way into the mainstream 'fashion' of the '60's and '70's.

The glasses come with their original signed case, with belt loops in the rear.  The lenses are acid etch signed B&L, and the signed 'B&L Ray Ban USA', under the center bar is "B&L 1/10 12k GF" frame have never been worn, being presented in 'new old stock' condition.  An amazing pair of glasses that can easily be worn for either  recreation, or casually, today.  To find examples in this condition is exceptionally rare today.


Price $550.00

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Item Dimensions
Width Across (lens edge to edge)
5.25 inches (13.335cm)
Lens Height
2 inches (5.08cm)