JOSEPH WINDMILLS, London c1710
Description:
A Queen Anne longcase clock by one of the most eminent makers of the period. The elegant and well-proportioned case is veneered with walnut with a glass lenticle to the trunk door and turned columns to the flat top hood.
The eleven inch square dial is mounted with a silvered chapter ring and mask head spandrels with delicate foliate engraving between the spandrels. Interestingly, the spandrels are attached to the dial plate with two screws - a feature more commonly associated with Thomas Tompion. The dial plate is finely matted with a subsidiary seconds dial, ringed winding holes and a ringed date aperture above six o'clock.
The eight day duration movement has six latched pillars and rack striking with the hour sounded on a bell. The chapter ring is signed by the maker, J Windmills, London.
Joseph Windmills was one of the finest clockmakers of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. He was Free of the Clockmakers Company in 1671 and initially worked in St Martin le Grand before moving his workshop to Mark Lane End in Tower Street. In 1691 he was appointed Assistant, in 1699 Warden, and in 1702 he has appointed Master, succeeded the following year by his contemporary Thomas Tompion of whom he was known to have been a close associate.
Clockmaker: JOSEPH WINDMILLS, London
Circa: 1710
Stock Number: 4017
Height: 84 inches (214 cm.)