Longcase clock, Balthazar Lieutaud, c. 1760 - c. 1765
Because of its long pendulum, the movement of a longcase clock can be extremely precise. Longcase clocks were thus used to ‘regulate’ other clocks and timepieces. The French word for a longcase clock is régulateur (regulator). The gilt-bronze figure of a man with a scythe and an hourglass surmounting this clock represents Father Time.