Hanging first of paintings, wind up worker (7)
I believe the answer is:
pendant
'hanging' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'first of paintings wind up worker' is the wordplay.
'first of paintings' becomes 'p' (1st letter of 'paintings').
'wind up' becomes 'end' (I've seen this in another clue).
'worker' becomes 'ant' (worker is a type of ant).
'p'+'end'+'ant'='PENDANT'
(Other definitions for pendant that I've seen before include "Panted after learned one" , "Hanging light" , "Hanging jewellery item" , "earring, say" , "item suspended" .)