Lot Essay
COMPARATIVE LITERATURE:
J.A. Neale, Joseph and Thomas Windmills; Clock and Watch Makers 1671-1737, Woodbridge, 1999.
The ringed calendar aperture and matching winding holes on this clock are distinctive features which appear on other examples by Windmills. A longcase clock of month duration from the Wetherfield collection with a comparable dial is illustrated by Neale, p. 128, figs 5.8-5.9. Neale notes that, as with the present clock, the lower centre movement pillar has no latch or pinhole. This is an unusual and unexplained feature and apparently an idiosyncrasy of the maker. A walnut longcase clock of month duration by Windmills also with similar dial features was sold, Christie's, New York, The Vitale Collection of Highly Important European Clocks, 30 October 1996, lot 113.
Joseph Windmills (b. c. 1640/50-1723) was a highly regarded 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.
J.A. Neale, Joseph and Thomas Windmills; Clock and Watch Makers 1671-1737, Woodbridge, 1999.
The ringed calendar aperture and matching winding holes on this clock are distinctive features which appear on other examples by Windmills. A longcase clock of month duration from the Wetherfield collection with a comparable dial is illustrated by Neale, p. 128, figs 5.8-5.9. Neale notes that, as with the present clock, the lower centre movement pillar has no latch or pinhole. This is an unusual and unexplained feature and apparently an idiosyncrasy of the maker. A walnut longcase clock of month duration by Windmills also with similar dial features was sold, Christie's, New York, The Vitale Collection of Highly Important European Clocks, 30 October 1996, lot 113.
Joseph Windmills (b. c. 1640/50-1723) was a highly regarded 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.