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)

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

Plate

After a print by Joseph Wagner (Italian, Thalendorf 1706–1780 Venice)

Artist:: After a painting by Jacopo Amigoni (Italian, Venice 1682–1752 Madrid)
Date:: 1750–70
Culture:: Chinese
Medium:: Hard-paste porcelain
Dimensions:: Diam. 9 1/8 in. (23.2 cm.)
Classification:: Ceramics
Credit Line:: Rogers Fund, 1919
Accession Number:: 19.156

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Demonstration of the Roentgens' Dressing Table (Poudreuse)

Plate

After a print by Joseph Wagner (Italian, Thalendorf 1706–1780 Venice)

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Demonstration of the Roentgens' Dressing Table (Poudreuse)

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Plate

After a print by Joseph Wagner (Italian, Thalendorf 1706–1780 Venice)

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