JOSEPH WINDMILLS, London c1685
Description:
An important Charles II marquetry longcase clock by this eminent maker in a case constructed primarily of oak veneered with olivewood, with ebonized and cross grained olivewood mouldings. Standing on bun feet the base is veneered with oysters of olivewood and inset panels of bird and floral marquetry. This is repeated to the trunk door where there is also a lenticle. The sides of the case are also veneered with olivewood oysters. The rise up hood is flanked by barley twist columns. The eight day duration movement is of exceptional quality with six latched pillars and locking plate striking mechanism. A further sophistication is the inclusion of bolt and shutter maintaining power. The 10in square brass dial is mounted with cherub and foliage spandrels, a silvered chapter ring, seconds ring and finely pierced and faceted blued steel hands. There is an aperture above six o’clock to view the day of the month and the dial plate is signed by the maker below six o’clock. Joseph Windmills is recorded as "a great clockmaker" who was free of the Clockmakers Company in July 1671. He worked initially in St Martin le Grand before moving to Mark Lane End Tower Street in 1687. In 1699 he was appointed Warden of the Clockmakers Company and sat on committees alongside his peer Thomas Tompion. In 1702 he succeeded Tompion as Master of the Clockmakers Company. Today he is recognised as one of the important makers of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. It is interesting that the movement of this clock is almost identical to several clocks that have passed through our hands that were made by Daniel Quare. The dial layout and the hands are also in the same style as that of Quare. It is possible that Windmills supplied a number of movements to Quare, who applied his own name to them.
Clockmaker: JOSEPH WINDMILLS, London
Circa: 1685
Stock Number: 3779
Height: 80 inches (203 cm.)