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Lot Essay
The grand characteristics of this case are in a style favoured by Joseph Windmills in his later years and continued to be used by his son, Thomas, when he took over the business. The star-pierced calendar centre is also a typical feature of Windmills' clocks, both for longcase and table clocks (see Neale for examples). A similar table clock by Windmills with these refinements can be seen in the Spanish Royal Collection (see J. Ramon Colon De Carvajal, Catalogo de Relojes Del Patrimonio Nacional, Editorial Patrimonio Nacional, Madrid, 1987, no. 16). Further examples by both Joseph and Thomas are illustrated by Neale and include: a red japanned quarter-chiming turntable clock, p. 215, fig. 7.1; a green japanned striking table clock with strike/silent in the arch, p. 217, fig. 7.3; a red japanned striking table clock signed Windmills and Bennett in non bell-topped case, p.221, fig. 7.5. A similar red lacquer quarter-striking table clock by George Graham is illustrated by Percy Macquoid and Ralph Edwards C.B.E., F.S.A. , Furniture from the Middle Ages to the Late Georgian Period, Volume two, p. 96, fig. 48 and a green lacquered example by Claudius du Chesne is illustrated by R.C.R. Barder, The Georgian Bracket Clock 1714-1830, Woodbridge, 1999, p. 77, plate III/4.
Joseph Windmills (b. c. 1640/50-1723) was an eminent maker of the late 17th and early 18th Century. He became Free of the Clockmakers Company in 1671 and Master in 1702. He is first recorded working at St. Martin le Grand then Mark Lane End, Tower Street in 1687. He is thought to have collaborated with both Thomas Tompion and Daniel Quare. His workshops produced a considerable number of lantern clocks, watches, table clocks and longcase clocks. He later went into partnership with his son who continued the business upon his death.
Joseph Windmills (b. c. 1640/50-1723) was an eminent maker of the late 17th and early 18th Century. He became Free of the Clockmakers Company in 1671 and Master in 1702. He is first recorded working at St. Martin le Grand then Mark Lane End, Tower Street in 1687. He is thought to have collaborated with both Thomas Tompion and Daniel Quare. His workshops produced a considerable number of lantern clocks, watches, table clocks and longcase clocks. He later went into partnership with his son who continued the business upon his death.