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.

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

George A. Lucas

Augustin Jean Moreau-Vauthier (1831–1893)

Date:: 1890
Culture:: French
Medium:: Bronze
Dimensions:: Overall: 19 13/16 x 16 3/8 x 11 9/16 in. (50.3 x 41.6 x 29.4 cm) Marble socle: 5 5/8 in. (14.3 cm)
Classification:: Sculpture
Credit Line:: Gift of a friend, 1891
Accession Number:: 91.7

This artwork is not on display

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The Roentgens' Rolltop Desk

George A. Lucas

Augustin Jean Moreau-Vauthier (1831–1893)

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The Roentgens' Rolltop Desk

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George A. Lucas

Augustin Jean Moreau-Vauthier (1831–1893)

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