The Metropolitan Museum of Art - The Finding of Moses

Art Object

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation

The inventive talents of David Roentgen are evident in this exceptionally refined desk. The monogram "DR" inlaid beneath the keyhole on the lower drawer indicates the cabinetmaker's satisfaction with one of his most mechanically ingenuous creations: a single key inserted at different depths unlocks the center drawer, releases the rolltop, or releases the hidden side drawers; if a button is pressed on the underside of these drawers, each swings aside to reveal three other drawers. Above the rolltop, the rectangular structure consists of a single wide drawer. The artist's creativity is evident in the chinoiserie marquetry scenes, created by using minute pieces of naturally colored exotic woods that have a painterly effect.

See Collections to learn more about this desk.

This desk is featured in the exhibition Extravagant Inventions: The Princely Furniture of the Roentgens (on view October 30, 2012–January 27, 2013).

David Roentgen: Long-Case Clock
(00:00:52)

The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet
(00:02:20) 10679 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration
(00:02:17) 16910 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation
(00:01:00) 3027 views

The Finding of Moses

Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola (Italian, Vignola 1507–1573 Rome)

Artist:: Intarsia by Fra Damiano da Bergamo (Damiano di Antoniolo de Zambelli) (ca. 1480–1549)
Date:: 16th century
Culture:: Italian
Medium:: Wood
Dimensions:: H. 36 x W. 32 in. (91.4 x 81.3 cm)
Classification:: Woodwork
Credit Line:: Rogers Fund, 1912
Accession Number:: 12.130.2

This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 503

Description

This panel was designed by Jacopo Vignola for the governor of Bologna and Renaissance historian Francesco Guicciardini (1483–1540). With the coat of arms of Francesco Guicciairdini and his wife, Maria Salviati.
Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Signature: On steps of palace: F [rater] Damianus Bergomen [sis] or [dinis] praed[icatorum] F[ecit]. MD.XXXIIII (Brother of Bergamo of the order of the Preachers [Dominicans] made it in 1534).

Inscription: On flower box, in lower right hand corner: INFANTVLVS MOSES IN SCIRPEA FISCELLA NILO COMMISSVS, REGIS FILLIAE ALENDVS EDVCITVR (the infant Moses, set adrift on the Nile in a rush-bakset, is brought to the King's daughter to be nourished).
Provenance

[ Lippmann (until 1912; sold to MMA) ]
See also
Who
Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola (5)

Fra Damiano da Bergamo (Damiano di Antoniolo de Zambelli) (4)
What
Panels (2,839)

Woodwork (2,583)
Where
Europe (150,013)

Italy (24,981)
When
A.D. 1400-1600 (20,619)
In the Museum
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts (43,264)
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Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola (Italian, Vignola 1507–1573 Rome)

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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation

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The Finding of Moses

Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola (Italian, Vignola 1507–1573 Rome)

Met Media

Met Kids

Met Store