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 drinking mug, or tankard, with landscape engravings hand applied to the body. This fabulous, and exceptionally rare, superb quality George II drinking tankard is not only visually eye catching, but also captures a moment of English history.  The design of the drinking mug is of baluster outline, on waisted spreading foot with leaf-capped scroll handle. This was a very classic design of the period which stuck for centuries after. The most appealing part to the tankard is the hand chased and hand engraved scene that wraps around the body. A few tankards from this period come up for sale by this maker, every now and then. None of which have been found with this stunning attention to detail on the body.

The scene is very much the English countryside in a nutshell. There is a meandering river with a small hand-built stone bridge, a family of cattle feature grazing in front of the farmhouse complete with some thatched roof buildings. As the scene revolves there is a wooded area. The trees of which part in an area that was made as cartouche. There is an original, hand engraved, armorial crest applied into the space. The initials have been worn away, presumably as the original owner passed and the mug changed hands into future generations of the family. The coat of arms features a lion holding an anchor.

A lion grasping an anchor in a coat of arms generally signifies a blend of strength, bravery, and hope or salvation, frequently linked to a family or area with a maritime heritage. The lion, a prevalent heraldic emblem, embodies traits such as bravery, nobility, and royalty. Conversely, the anchor serves as a symbol of hope and salvation, and it may also represent a family's ties to the ocean.

The tankard is presented in exceptional condition.  All the hand engraving and chasing has been applied by a very fine hand indeed. The base of the tankard is fully hallmarked with English assay hallmarks from having been made in London, England in 1761. Alongside the date letter is the makers mark. The tankard was made by the workshop of Thomas Whipham & Charles Wright. Established in October of 1757, they produced a number of goods until 1767. It is a great gauge of silver, so very solid in the hand, and perfect to drink from.

A very special and early piece of Englsih silver making of the highest quality. It is not only a piece to be appreciated, but, drinking from a silver mug has a very special feeling to it. Sterling silver boasts a rich history of utilisation in drinking vessels, tracing back to ancient times. It was employed for a range of items, from basic cups to intricate goblets and tankards like this, frequently linked to affluence, social standing, and religious rituals. The perceived health advantages and antibacterial characteristics of silver further enhanced its appeal as a material for drinking vessels.


Price $5,200.00

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Item Dimensions
Height
4.5 inches (11.43cm)
Width
3.5 inches (8.89cm)