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 medium size, sterling silver, engine box.  This is one of the finest and most well made silver boxes we have handled.  Featuring prime Art Deco design and superb proportions.  The box was originally designed to hold cigarettes with a large central compartment lined with cedar wood.  This wood was used to keep moisture and freshness to the tobacco.  The interior has the original cedar wood divider that can be removed to also store cigars in, or to also make three different sized areas within.

The exterior body is heavily engine turned, a technique was popular during the Art Deco movement, and is very clean in its design, with beautiful rounded off and hand engraved edges that soften the overall feel.  Another stunning detail that highlights the quality, and time spent on making the box, is the solid nine carat yellow gold rounded lip to help open the lid of the box.  Often these would either be left silver, gold plated or not exists at all.  This lip on the lid is actually a hand pinned piece of hand engraved gold.  Again, with that Art Deco look and feel. 

The exposed part of the interior of the lid is lemon gilded, a technique which not only looks attractive but was originally applied to help prevent tarnishing of the metal from the oxidizing effect from the tobacco and oxygen.  

The condition of the box throughout is impeccable.  It would make a wonderful addition for any study or library. There are a series of hallmarks on the inside edge of the base thought out the piece denoting the sterling silver content, and that it was made in London, England in 1977 by Mappin & Webb.  Mappin & Webb are one of England's most celebrated silversmiths and a luxury retailer with a rich history, who are still in existence today.  

An additional mark can also be found alongside the classic English assay marks, and that is of Queen Elizabeth's head.  This means that it was made during a Jubilee year.  The extra mark is added to any English silver made during these momentous years in the reign of a monarch.  In this instance it was for the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, marking twenty five years of her reign.  Items with these additional marks are desirable in their own right, as some collectors collect Jubilee marked silver.  It does appear that extra care and quality was applied in making this piece in honour of her majesty.


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Item Dimensions
Length
6 inches (15.24cm)
Width
3 inches (7.62cm)