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 set of six vermeil and vitreous enamel cocktail picks featuring a colourful cockerel framed in a circle at the top. This stunning set of picks are a very unusual design, and are very high quality in both detail and make. The top of each of the picks are adorned with a cockerel, that was a popular motif added to a number of bar pieces during the Art Deco movement.

Two elements in particular illustrate the quality of these pieces; Firstly, they are finished in colourful vitreous enamel. This is a hard enamel, fired from powdered glass. This was the only way to add colour to precious metals until the end of the last century. It is a costly process, and time consuming. So, this would have beenonly reserved for better quality pieces. The greatest exponent of this was the Russian house of Fabergé.

The second additional level of quality is the fact that these have a patent applied for the unique design. There were many different designs of cocktail picks made during this time. Most of them tend to look the same; stock round pick with soldered tops. This design is flat so it will sit more comfortably on the lip of the glass and it is shaped, being wider at the very bottom so the cherry or olive will not slip off into the glass, then tapering up to the motif.

One can also point to the fact that they are rose, or pink, vermeil, and not just plain sterling silver. This simply means that, once made, they are then rose gold plated over the top of the sterling. The set also come in their original presentation box with "Registered Design" stamped into the back of the box silk. Again, highlighting the fact this unusual design, and god to have to keep safe after the party is over!

Each pick has a full set of English assay hallmarks. They were made in Birmingham, England, in 1927. Made during the height of the Art Deco period, and the design and quality reflects that. They also have the maker's mark "A. L. D" for silversmith Aaron L. Dennison. Along with these marks they feature the patent number for the registered design. A wonderful and very rare set of stunning Art Deco cocktail picks in superb condition. The perfect addition to any home bar. Or, a great gift for the person that has it all!

  

 


Price $1,275.00

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Item Dimensions
Length
3.1 inches (7.874cm)
Width at top
0.75 inches (1.905cm)