The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Art Object

The Roentgens' Rolltop Desk

Watch as this desk's hidden features are revealed.

The richly embellished surface of this rolltop desk conceals a wealth of mechanical surprises and features, including a spectacular arrangement of almost forty compartments and drawers. Abraham (1711–1793) and David Roentgen (1743–1807) designed this table not just for writing and reading but also to function as a dressing table, or poudreuse.

This table, from Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens in Washington, D.C., is featured in the exhibition Extravagant Inventions: The Princely Furniture of the Roentgens (on view October 30, 2012–January 27, 2013).

Learn more about this object: http://trio.hillwoodmuseum.org/detail.php?t=objects&type=related&kv=13072

Footage courtesy of Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens.

Video/Audio (4)

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

The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet
(00:02:20) 11562 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration
(00:02:17) 18147 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation
(00:01:00) 3152 views

Tankard

Date:: 18th century
Culture:: Northern Polish
Medium:: Silver gilt, with silver coins
Dimensions:: H. 7 7/8 in. (20 cm)
Classification:: Metalwork
Credit Line:: Gift of Mrs. Lucy W. Drexel, 1889
Accession Number:: 89.2.48

This artwork is not on display

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Inscription: Coin in base dated 1625, inscribed: obverse, "D.G. IOH. PHIL. FRID. IOH. WIL. ETRF." On reverse: "DUC. SAXON. IUL. CL (?). IVI. ET. MONT. LIN. ALDEN." Medal on cover, showing circumcision, inscribed: "Deut. 10. CIRCUMCIDITE PRAEPUTIUM CORDIS." Reserve showing Baptism, inscribed: "REPISCITE ET BAPTIZAMINI. Act. 2".

Marking: W.A., maker's initials.
Provenance

Lucy W. Drexel (until 1889; to MMA)
See also
What
Metal (59,483)

Metalwork (14,681)

Silver (14,046)

Gilt (9,077)

Drinking vessels (6,031)

Money (1,660)

Coins (1,629)

Tankards (307)
Where
Europe (150,372)

Poland (132)
When
A.D. 1600-1800 (67,128)
In the Museum
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts (43,228)
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
Central Europe (including Germany), 1600–1800 A.D.
MetPublications
Search for related Met publications