The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Pair of tea caddies (part of a set)

Art Object

The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet

Discover the hidden features and intricate interior of this cabinet.

One of the finest achievements of European furniture making, this cabinet is the most important product from Abraham (1711–1793) and David Roentgen's (1743–1807) workshop. A writing cabinet crowned with a chiming clock, it features finely designed marquetry panels and elaborate mechanisms that allow for doors and drawers to be opened automatically at the touch of a button. Owned by King Frederick William II, the Berlin cabinet is uniquely remarkable for its ornate decoration, mechanical complexity, and sheer size.

This cabinet, from Kunstgewerbemuseum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, is featured in the exhibition Extravagant Inventions: The Princely Furniture of the Roentgens (on view October 30, 2012–January 27, 2013).

Footage courtesy of VideoART GmbH and Kunstgewerbemuseum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin.

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Pair of tea caddies (part of a set)

John Scofield (active 1776–96)

Date:: 1790–91
Culture:: British, London
Medium:: Silver
Dimensions:: a) 4 3/8 x 4 15/16 in. (11.1 x 12.5 cm); Diam. 3 15/16 in. (10 cm); b) 4 3/8 x 4 7/8 in. (11.1 x 12.4 cm); Diam. 3 15/16 in. (10 cm)
Classification:: Metalwork
Credit Line:: Helen Flynn Conway Collection, Bequest of Helen Flynn Conway, 1966
Accession Number:: 66.158.8a, b

This artwork is not on display

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Inscription: Monogram on front of each canister: H J W or H F W (in script) surmounted by a crest. 15/35; EL/-/- (on base of canisters)

Marking: [1] leopard's head crowned; [2] Lion passant; [3] P, London date letter for 1790-91; [4] I.S., maker's mark for John Scofield; [5] I.S. maker's mark for John Scofield; [6] Lion passant; Location of marks: [1]-[4] on bases of canisters; [5]-[6] on bottom of lid
Provenance

Helen Flynn Conway (until 1966; bequeathed to MMA)
See also
Who
John Scofield (3)
What
Metal (59,501)

Metalwork (14,681)

Silver (14,046)

Caddies (164)

Tea caddies (115)
Where
Europe (150,651)

United Kingdom (25,710)

England (9,112)

London (2,006)
When
A.D. 1600-1800 (67,139)
In the Museum
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts (43,228)
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
English Silver, 1600–1800

Great Britain and Ireland, 1600–1800 A.D.
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The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet

Pair of tea caddies (part of a set)

John Scofield (active 1776–96)

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The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet

Related Content

Pair of tea caddies (part of a set)

John Scofield (active 1776–96)

Met Media

Met Kids

Met Store