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, gold plated, desk set with moss agate set into each of the three pieces. This is a spectacular and very rare, in fact quite possibly unique, desk set. It comprises of; a letter rack, pen tray and ink blotter. Each piece is made of sterling silver and then plated in yellow gold. This technique is known as vermeil.

Set into each of the three pieces are quite splendid, hand selected, pieces of a gemstone that is known as moss agate. This stone, also known as mocha stone, is a gemstone renowned for the greenish filaments that seem to resemble creeping moss or other vegetation. The alternative name comes from the Arabian city of Mocha in Yemen, which was an ancient source for the gemstone.

Moss agate, like most gemstones, has long been used for personal ornamentation. Some ancient cultures viewed moss agate as a healing stone. During the late 18th century, moss agate was widely regarded as a good luck stone in Britain. Due to the inclusions resembling moss or ferns, moss agate was also viewed as a stone of agriculture amongst gardeners and farmers. It's said European farmers once used to hang moss agate from trees and around the horns of oxen when plowing to encourage successful harvests.

It's no surprise that moss agate's plant-like appearance affects the perceived metaphysical properties of the stone. Moss agate is said to encourage tranquility and emotional balance. Moss agate is the perfect stone for those who experience strong aggression or overly nurturing emotions, helping to balance male and female energies whenever they become too extreme. The calming vibe of moss agate can help bring individuals closer to nature as well, and can bring a sense of focus or patience when we need to disconnect from the chaos of modern society. Making this a very obvious choice to be assembled around the area of a desk, or home office.

Moss agate is associated with the zodiac sign Aquarius, supposedly one of the more social signs that highly values friendship. Moss agate is also associated with the sign of Virgo by bringing these typically analytical minds some much-appreciated calmness.

Moss agate isn't actually moss or technically an agate, but the intriguing mottled patterns of cream, green-grey and black inclusions do have a moss-like appearance. The beautiful green shades ranging from sea green to dark forest green appear to float in the semi-translucent stone. While moss agate isn't strictly an agate because it's not banded, the stone does have the same chemical composition and intriguing patterns of agate. Moss agate is a variety of chalcedony, belonging to the quartz family, and is often found as fragments from weathered volcanic rock formed in fissures or as pebbles rather than in traditional agate layering.

The spreading moss-like dendritic inclusions you see in moss agate are mostly oxides of manganese or iron, and the colors vary depending on trace amounts of minerals or metals present, such as chrome. This choice to set this wonderful gemstone in these pieces is obvious on the letter rack and pen tray in particular where the light can pass through the large pieces and highlight the beauty of these inclusions.

The set was made in London, England, in 1908 during the reign of King Edward VII. This era is known as the Edwardian time and this piece very much typifies the aesthetic from this era. The move away from the perhaps over adorned designs from the Victoria period gave way to a more refined, paired down refinement. The letter rack and pen tray both sit on four reeded bun feet. This fine reeded pattern is also found on the base of the letter rack, and the outer lip of the pen tray. There is a slight Gothic nature to the edging to both the pen tray and rack as well. The blotter is much cleaner and more classical overall, but also sees the reproduction of the reeding around the border and the gorgeous gem set handle.

The set was made for the prestigious silversmith; Alfred Clark. Clark founded his business in 1880 and was listed as a silversmith and manufacturer of fitted travel bags, by appointment to HRH the Prince and Princess of Wales; in 1888 the Prince of Wales ordered a clock to present to the Princess on the occasion of their silver wedding anniversary. Clark had several premises in the Mayfair area and moved to 33 New Bond Street in 1903 where he remained until 1916.

The desk set is in exceptional condition throughout. There is no sign of wear to the thick gold plating. All of the hallmarks littered over each of the three pieces are sharp and crisp which illustrates the fact that the set has never seen a polishing wheel. All of the panels of hand selected, cut and set moss agate stones are superb looking, as one would come to expect, and are all perfect. This is a stunning and unique set, the likes of which we have not seen prior.

 


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Item Dimensions
Pen Tray Length
5 inches (12.7cm)
Letter Rack Height
4 inches (10.16cm)