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 solid fourteen carat yellow gold pocket watch chain with button hole clip.  This is an exceptionally rare and beautifully made piece of jewellery from one of America's finest jewellers.  Not just any jeweller.  But one with a long history with some of the world's finest watch and clock makers; Tiffany & Company.  From a long running relationship with Patek Philippe to making their own outstanding pocket watches this luxury retailer has long been involved in time pieces.  In 1854, Tiffany signed an agreement with Patek Philippe becoming the first retailer in America to carry the best timepieces money could buy. Tiffany then began producing its own timepieces. To meet the increasing demand for sophisticated timepieces from its customers, in 1874 the company built its own factory in Geneva, Place Cornavin.

This wonderful piece is most unusual.  There have been many designs developed over the years in order for a gentleman, or lady, to safely and securely carry their pocket watches.  This is a design that we have not seen before.  There is a small solid gold button front, behind which lies a spring clip. From here the handsome open, long link chain hangs from it with a traditional dog clip, which can freely rotate, at the end.  The idea of this piece for it to sit through a button hole and rather than a simple t-bar, it has this handsome domed, button-like front that looks lovely sitting in the button hole.  It would either be worn through the lapel button, with the pocket watch then sitting safely in the outside breast pocket.  Or, it can also be worn through a waist coat, or vest, button and into the waist coat pocket.

The piece is fully stamped Tiffany & Co. on the dog clip Tiffany & Co.  But, perhaps more remarkably, and much more interesting is the underside of the spring clip that holds the 'button' in place.  There are hand engraved marks for "14 k" gold and for a patent applied for this design in 1887.  This firmly dates this piece to that time. 

This clip snaps open with strong force, and then snaps back with equal force.  There are three 'teeth', two on one side, one on the other, that will hold the button piece firmly in place on the item of clothing.  It would be very difficult to rip it off once clipped on without also taking the clothing with it!

With some incredible Tiffany pocket watches having been made over the years.  This truly needs to accompany one of them.  A beautiful alternative to a classic pocket watch chain.


Price $3,650.00

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Item Dimensions
Button Diameter
.5 inches (0.0cm)
Length of Chain
7.5 inches (19.05cm)