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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation

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Art Object
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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation

Program information

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

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

The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet

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

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration

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

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation

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

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Ewer

Jean-Baptiste-François Chéret  (1728, master 1759, recorded up to 1791)

Date:
1784–85
Culture:
French (Paris)
Medium:
Silver
Dimensions:
H. 12-15/16 in. (32.9 cm.)
Classification:
Metalwork
Credit Line:
Gift of Mrs. Charles Wrightsman, 1980
Accession Number:
1980.79

This artwork is not on display

  • Description

    The draped garlands below the rim, the scrolling bands of arabesques in the middle, and the water leaves above the foot of this ewer are standard Neoclassical motifs typically found on late eighteenth-century French silver. The unexpected feature of the ewer, however, is the handle in the form of Narcissus emerging from a pedestal. The half bust of Narcissus is placed so that he leans forward, gazing down at the undecorated but highly reflective surface of the hinged cover. The three-dimensional representation of the Narcissus story, very cleverly conceived, distinguishes this ewer as an exceptional example of French silver of the late eighteenth century.
    The ewer would have been accompanied originally by a basin, and both would have been used for washing as part of the daily ritual and grooming known in France as la toilette.

  • Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

    Marking: [1] Crowned fleur-de-lis, 2 grains de remède, J B C, device a key (maker's mark) [2] Crowned A (Paris charge mark for large silver, 1782-89) [3] Interlaced L's (Paris charge mark for small work, 1783-89) [4] Crowned P, numerals 84 (Paris warden's mark, 1784-85) [5] Dog's head (Paris discharge mark for large silver, 1782-89) [6] Possibly a carnation bud (Paris discharge mark for very small work, 1782-89) [7] Swan in oval (French mark for work imported from countries with customs conventions, 1893 to present) Location of marks: [1]-[4] inside cover, underside of body, inside foot [5] on outside of foot rim [6] on rim of cover [7] on handle

  • Provenance

    Jayne Wrightsman (until 1980; to MMA)

  • See also
    Who
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    When
    In the Museum
    Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
    MetPublications
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