The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Art Object

Demonstration of the Roentgens' Dressing Table (Poudreuse)

See how this desk converts into a dressing table.

When closed, this table may not seem like one of the most complex pieces of European furniture ever made. However, once opened, its concealed drawers and hidden features are exposed, and the entire piece transforms into a dressing table, orpoudreuse. Scholars believe it was commissioned as a wedding gift from Abraham (1711–1793) and David Roentgen (1743–1807) by Friedrich August III, Elector of Saxony, to his bride in 1769.

This table, from Museum für Angewandte Kunst, Frankfurt, is featured in the exhibition Extravagant Inventions: The Princely Furniture of the Roentgens (on view October 30, 2012–January 27, 2013).

Images courtesy of Museum für Angewandte Kunst, Frankfurt.

Video/Audio (4)

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Snuffbox

Probably by Antoine Daroux (master 1735, died 1789)

Date:: 1755–56
Culture:: French (Paris)
Medium:: Silver, gilt
Dimensions:: H. 1-1/2 in. (3.8 cm.); W. 2-5/8 in. (6.7 cm.); L. 3-1/4 in. (8.3 cm.)
Classification:: Metalwork
Credit Line:: Bequest of John L. Cadwalader, 1914
Accession Number:: 14.58.206

This artwork is not on display

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Marking: [1] Crowned fleur-de-lis, 2 grains de remède, A D, a mitre (?) (maker's mark, probably Antoine Daroux) [2] Ox head (Paris charge mark for large silver, 1750-56) [3] Crowned P (warden's mark, 1755-56) [4] Little cow (Paris discharge mark for work intended for export, 1765-74 [?]) Location of marks: [1]-[3] inside box [4] on rim of box
See also
Who
Antoine Daroux (3)
What
Metal (59,364)

Metalwork (14,716)

Silver (14,056)

Gilt (9,043)

Snuff containers (1,010)

Snuffboxes (375)
Where
Europe (148,586)

France (52,276)

Paris (2,025)
When
A.D. 1600-1800 (66,179)
In the Museum
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts (43,257)
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
France, 1600–1800 A.D.

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Demonstration of the Roentgens' Dressing Table (Poudreuse)

Snuffbox

Probably by Antoine Daroux (master 1735, died 1789)

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Demonstration of the Roentgens' Dressing Table (Poudreuse)

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Snuffbox

Probably by Antoine Daroux (master 1735, died 1789)

Met Media

Met Kids

Met Store