A RARE GEORGE II OAK CASED MINIATURE THIRTY-HOUR LONGCASE CLOCKJAMES DELANCE, DOWNTON, CIRCA 1730The four rectangular section pillar outside countwheel bell striking movement with plates measuring 5.25 by 3 inches and anchor escapement regulated by seconds pendulum, the 8 inch square brass dial with matted centre within applied Roman numeral chapter ring with fleur-de-lys half hour markers and signed Delance, Downton to lower margin, with a steel hour hand and male mask and scroll cast spandrels to angles, in a case with domed caddy to the box tand and cavetto cornice, over hinged glazed dial aperture applied with balter-turned three-quarter columns to front angles and with conforming quarter-columns applied to the sides at the rear, the trunk with cavetto moulded throat over 33.5 inch rectangular door with cockbeaded edge, on plinth base with moulded skirt (the movement lacking minute hand). 184cm (72.5ins) high, 38cm (15ins) wide, 234cm (9ins) deep.James Delance is recorded in Loomes, Brian Clockmakers of Britain 1286-1700 as born in Downton, Wiltshire in 1655. He is believed to have learnt the clockmaking trade from Lawrence Debnam in Frome prior to moving to London in 1677 where he was admitted as a Free Brother to the Clockmakers'pany the following year. Delance remained in London until 1685 when he left the city and returned to Frome where he set up biness in Cheap Street - probably succeeding Lawrence Debnam who died in 1683 at the age of 40. Delance is recorded as undertaking work on clocks for Lord Weymouth at Longleat from at least 1694 until 1703. By 1721 Delance had moved to Downton, Wiltshire and was still working in 1736.