Fine William and Mary walnut and marquetry longcase clock by...

Hammer

£17,000

Fine William and Mary walnut and marquetry longcase clock by Joseph Windmills, London, circa 1695, the hood with a blind fretwork frieze and ebonised three quarter barleytwist pilasters with foliate trailing inlay, flanking an 11'' brass dial with winged mask spandrels, signed silvered chapter ring, matted centre, with subsidiary seconds and date aperture, eight day, six pillar movement with latches throughout, striking on a bell with inside count wheel, the trunk door inlaid with panels of birds and flowers in a variety of woods, set against ebony and walnut and having a brass ringed oval lenticle, marquetry panel box base further inlaid with flowers and foliage, all raised on ebonised squat bun feet, height 200cm, width 45cm
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Note: Joseph Windmills' work is comprehensively documented, see J.A.Neale 'Joseph and Thomas Windmills: Clock and Watch Makers 1671-1737', published 1999. Joseph joined the Clockmaker's Company as a free brother on 29th September 1671, the same year that Joseph Knibb, Daniel Quare and Thomas Tompion also gained their freedom of the Company. In 1699 he became the Company's youngest warden and in 1702 was made Master, preceding Tompion. In the company of the aforementioned makers, Joseph was considered one of the finest clockmakers in late seventeenth century London, and produced a prolific number of lantern clocks of all sizes and qualities. His earliest known watch was created before 1680 and is displayed in the British Museum. He and his son Thomas worked in partnership and Thomas also served as Master of the Clockmaker's Company in 1718. Joseph last attended the company in 1723 and died a year later, having practised his trade for 52 years.

More Information

This piece has a rising hood with later dovetail panel and tongue and replaced groove tracks at the back of the hood. The dial is in good condition, as is the movement, which was going and had been for some time when removed from the house. The clock was known to keep good time. We have its pendulum and brass clad weights, a winding key and a key for the door.

There are minor restorations on the trunk, replaced veneers, this has been kept to a minimum. There is a replaced escutcheon on the door and a later lock. The hinges appear to be original. Numerous holes in the backboard which is only to be expected.

The box base has a horizontal split, see image. A tiny area of infill where the veneer is lost.

Overall the piece has a very pleasant, mellowed patina with good polish. This piece appears to have been bought from Anthony Woodburn, Kent, circa 1984 and was, at the time, valued for insurance at £10,000 and has remained in the family since that time.