The name now normally given to clocks made from c. 1500 to c. 1650, when regional styles of clockmaking began to evolve in Europe. The style was international in character, most of the clocks of the period being made to similar designs in Italy, south Germany and France, with some English examples later in the period. It has also been called 'the age of decoration', for in general the gilded-brass cases of either spring- or weight-driven clocks were lavishly decorated with engraved, cast and chased ornament, in a style derived from classical prototypes. The introduction of the pendulum c. 1657 suggests a suitable date to mark the end of this period of clockmaking, the date at which accuracy of timekeeping gradually began to assume more importance than splendour of casework.