Windmills & Wightman Grandfather Clock

Windmills & Wightman Georgian grandfather clock.
London, 18th century.
Walnut wood.
Measurements: 240 x 48 x 27 cm.
English tall case clock ("longcase clock") in walnut wood, Georgian period. It is structured in three bodies, the low part with two doors presents trimmed skirt; the middle part, which is the highest, with a vertical door; the upper part, crowned by an avolute pediment with central pinnacle, includes the clock, accessible through a dead with ivory knob and flanked by two columns with copper applications. The metal dial of the clock is surrounded by vegetal elements in relief, with hour numerals in Roman numerals and minutes in Arabic numerals, and a small window for the monthly date.

Windmills and Wightman were active in London in the early 18th century. Thomas Wightman, possibly born in Lutterworth, Leicestershire, in 1678 and son of Richard Wightman, was apprenticed to Henry Hester in 1692 and qualified as a master in 1701/2. He subsequently plied his trade in Lombard Street and George Yard, and took on several apprentices over the years. His career included periods of financial hardship, eventually landing him on the "comfrey" list (a prison for debtors). In 1748, he was listed as a clock finisher. Wall and pocket clocks are known to bear his name-often as "Tho. Wightman"-including hooded and longcase examples. It is likely that the association with Windmills was a commercial collaboration, a common practice among London watchmakers of the time.