An Exceptional Guillaume And Marie-style Floor Clock, With Marquetry By Joseph Windmills,

This exceptional Guillaume and Marie-style floor clock, crafted from walnut with floral marquetry, was made in London around 1690 by the renowned master Joseph Windmills (c. 1640–1724), one of the most eminent English clockmakers of the late 17th century and one of Thomas Tompion’s greatest contemporaries.

The imposing case is crafted from richly grained walnut and adorned with intricate floral marquetry depicting flowers, birds, and butterflies—a hallmark of the finest English furniture from the William and Mary period. The top is adorned with elegant twisted columns, surmounted by a molded cornice, while the long door of the case retains its original glass panel, allowing one to admire the movement of the pendulum. The clock rests on its original base with ball feet.

The superb 28-cm brass dial is adorned with finely chased spandrels featuring plant motifs, surrounding a silver-plated hour ring engraved with Roman and Arabic numerals. It features a seconds dial, a date window, and bears the signature:

“J. Windmills, London.”

The movement is a remarkable example of late 17th-century English clockmaking. It has an eight-day power reserve, a six-pillar construction, and strikes the hours on a bell. Remarkably, the clock retains its original pendulum, its original brass weights, its original movement, and its extremely rare original animal-gut weight cords—an exceptional state of preservation that greatly enhances its historical authenticity and appeal to collectors.

The clock is in working order and represents a rare opportunity to acquire a remarkably complete and authentic specimen, signed by one of England’s greatest clockmakers.

Joseph Windmills was admitted as a member of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers in 1671 and, in 1702, succeeded Thomas Tompion as Master of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers, thereby confirming his place among the greatest clockmakers of his generation. His works are featured in major public collections, notably at Holyroodhouse Palace in Edinburgh, where a marquetry floor clock very similar to his is housed in the King’s Bedchamber.

Combining museum-quality craftsmanship, exceptional originality, and remarkable provenance, this floor clock represents one of the finest examples of late 17th-century English floor clockmaking currently on the market.

Goldsmith

Joseph Windmills (c. 1640–1724)

Origin

London, England

Period

During the reign of William and Mary, circa 1690

Materials

Walnut, floral marquetry, brass, steel, glass

Movement

Original eight-day, six-pillar movement, striking on a bell.

Dial

Original 28 cm (11-inch) brass dial with silver-plated hour ring, small seconds, date window, and signature “J. Windmills, London.”

Original Components
Original movement
Original pendulum
Original brass weights
Original gut weight cords
Operational Condition
Dimensions
Height: 220 cm (86.6 inches)
Width: 42 cm (16.5 inches)
Depth: 23 cm (9.1 inches)

Provenance

Private collection, Madrid, Spain.

Condition

In excellent condition, demonstrating remarkable authenticity. The clock retains its movement, pendulum, brass weights, and rare original gut counterweights. The movement is functional. Slight signs of wear, restorations, and a patina attest to its age of over three centuries and careful preservation.

Keywords: Florin Antiques.