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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Longcase clock

A mid 18th century burr walnut longcase clock, Windmills and Wightman, London

Partially verified

This mid-18th-century English longcase clock stands 228 cm high in a burr walnut case. According to source details, the arched hood features a deep moulded cornice supported by freestanding stop-fluted Doric columns with glazed sides. The long arched trunk door exhibits figured walnut with featherbanding and moulded edging over a matching plinth base. Its 12-inch arched brass dial features Roman and Arabic numerals, cast mask spandrels, a matted center with subsidiary seconds, a date aperture, and blued steel hands. The arch holds a silvered plaque signed by Windmills and Wightman, London. The movement operates with rectangular plates on five knopped pillars, striking via rack on a bell.

Full-length frontal view of the burr walnut longcase clock
Full-length frontal view of the burr walnut longcase clock — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bonhams.com
Category
Clock · Longcase clock
Maker / attribution
Windmills and Wightman
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
396
Source-reported date
mid 18th century
Country
United Kingdom

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case Construction

The clock is housed in a burr walnut case measuring 228 cm (90 inches) high. The case features an arched hood with a deep moulded cornice, supported by freestanding stop-fluted Doric columns with glazed sides.

The long arched trunk door exhibits figured walnut with featherbanding and a moulded edge, situated over a matching plinth base.

Evidence for this section
  • “The case with arched hood and deep moulded cornice on freestanding stop-fluted Doric columns with glazed sides”
  • “the long arched trunk door of lively figuring within a moulded edge and featherbanding on a matching base.”
  • “228cms (90ins) high.”

Dial and Signature

The 12-inch arched brass dial features a Roman and Arabic chapter ring, framed by cast mask spandrels. The dial includes a matted center with a subsidiary seconds dial and a date aperture, and is fitted with blued steel hands.

A silvered plaque located in the arch bears the signature: 'Windmills and Wightman, London' and is decorated with a wheatear border.

Evidence for this section
  • “The 12-inch arched brass dial with Roman and Arabic chapter ring framed by cast mask spandrels”
  • “the matted centre with subsidiary seconds and date aperture”
  • “signed in the arch on a silvered plaque with wheatear border Windmills and Wightman, London”
  • “with blued steel hands.”

Movement and Mechanism

The clock's movement comprises rectangular plates supported by five knopped pillars. The striking mechanism operates via a rack, striking the hours on a bell mounted above the movement.

The clock is accompanied by a pendulum and a pair of later weights.

Evidence for this section
  • “The movement with rectangular plates supported by five knopped pillars, striking the hours via rack on a bell mounted above.”
  • “Together with a pendulum and pair of later weights.”

Open research questions

  • What specific characteristics distinguish the 'Windmills' retail collaboration from independent works by Thomas Wightman?
  • Are there additional archival records that confirm the production date of this specific longcase clock beyond the 'mid 18th century' attribution?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for A mid 18th century burr walnut longcase clock, Windmills and Wightman, London
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker SignatureWindmills and Wightman, London“signed in the arch on a silvered plaque with wheatear border Windmills and Wightman, London”
Height228cms (90ins)“228cms (90ins) high.”
Dial Size12-inch arched brass dial“The 12-inch arched brass dial with Roman and Arabic chapter ring”
Movement StructureRectangular plates with five knopped pillars“The movement with rectangular plates supported by five knopped pillars, striking the hours via rack on a bell mounted above.”
Accompanying ItemsPendulum and pair of later weights“Together with a pendulum and pair of later weights.”
Maker Historical ContextWindmills and Wightman partnership“A partnership with Windmills is likely to have been a retail collaboration, a common practice among London makers of the time.”
Thomas Wightman BiographyMaker background“Thomas Wightman, possibly born in Lutterworth, Leicestershire in 1678 and son of Richard Wightman, was apprenticed to Henry Hester in 1692 and became free in 1701/2.”

Visible details

  • Full-height standing longcase clock shown from the front.
  • Arched hood flanked by dark columns with a matching arched trunk door.
  • Brass dial visible inside the arched hood opening.

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement, pendulum, and later weights are not visible in the provided primary photograph.
  • Dial inscriptions and signatures cannot be fully verified from the low-resolution full-length image.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Bonhams : A mid 18th century burr walnut longcase clock Windmills and Wightman, London

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 5b2aa16c50

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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