The Metropolitan Museum of Art

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).

Video/Audio (4)

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

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

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

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

Cup and saucer

Meissen Manufactory (German, 1710–present)

Date:: 1763–74
Culture:: German (Meissen)
Medium:: Hard-paste porcelain
Dimensions:: Cup (.1a): H. 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.); Saucer (.1b): Diam. 5 1/4 in. (13.3 cm.)
Classification:: Ceramics
Credit Line:: Gift of Rev. Alfred Duane Pell, 1913
Accession Number:: 13.50.1a, b

This artwork is not on display

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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration

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Meissen Manufactory (German, 1710–present)

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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration

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Cup and saucer

Meissen Manufactory (German, 1710–present)

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