Painted dials were introduced shortly after the middle of the 18th century. The design of regional brass clock dials had become so cluttered with decoration, auxiliary dials and sometimes as many as four separate hands from the dial centre (hour, minute, centre second sweep and calendar hand), that it was often difficult to tell the time at a distance. The solution was a white enamelled or painted dial. Large enamelled dials were difficult to manufacture, so the painted dial was adopted. It proved eminently functional, as well as being cheaper and easier to produce than the engraved brass dial with its separate chapter ring and spandrels. Early painted dials were designed in a restrained and elegant manner, in keeping with the other decorative arts of the Adam period. However, popular demand soon called for the production of more colourful dials with painted scenes in the corners and arch.