The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Pair of saltcellars

Art Object

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration

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) 11562 views

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

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

Pair of saltcellars

Date:: 1755–56
Culture:: British, London
Medium:: Silver, gilt lined
Dimensions:: 3 1/2 x 4 in. (8.9 x 10.2 cm)
Classification:: Metalwork
Credit Line:: Rogers Fund, 1913
Accession Number:: 13.42.42a, b

This artwork is not on display

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Marking: [1] Leopard's head, crowned; [2] u, London date letter for 1755-56; [3] Lion passant; [4] indistinct. Location of marks: [1],[2],[3],[4] underneath shell of A [1],[2],[3] underneath shell of B
Provenance

George S. Palmer (until 1913; sold to MMA)
See also
What
Metal (59,497)

Metalwork (14,681)

Silver (14,047)

Gilt (9,077)

Salts (283)

Saltcellars (129)
Where
Europe (150,419)

United Kingdom (25,683)

England (9,112)

London (2,006)
When
A.D. 1600-1800 (67,116)
In the Museum
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts (43,228)
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
Great Britain and Ireland, 1600–1800 A.D.