A black and gilt japanned basket top table clock, Joseph Windmills, London, circa 1700

7-inch dial with screwed and pinned crisply cast and chased cherub spandrels, matted centre with later  pendulum aperture and ringed winding holes, the two train bell striking fusee movement signed J.Windmills, London with seven turned baluster pillars (one latched), verge escapement with altered pendulum, pivoted inside rack, the gilded backplate engraved with scrolling leaves and flowers within a line border, formerly with repeating work, the case with carrying handle above a fine cast gilt-brass basket pierced and engraved with figures within scrolling leaves and flowers, the sides and the front door with similarly decorated frets, the body of the case and the back door decorated with chinoiserie figures, birds, flowers and trellis work in shades of gilt on a black ground; case possibly associated

Joseph Windmills, a highly regarded maker, was made Free of the Clockmakers' Company in 1671 and became its Master in 1702. Shortly after this date he formed a partnership with his son Thomas and the clocks and watches made by the firm were either signed Windmills, without forename, or J & T Windmills. At some time after this, father and son appear to have run more separate businesses and signed their products once again with an individual forename.