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.

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Queen Dido

Medalist: Giovanni del Cavino (1500–1570)

Date:: 16th century
Culture:: Italian
Medium:: Bronze
Dimensions:: Diam. 2 in. (51 mm.)
Classification:: Medals and Plaquettes
Credit Line:: Gift of Ogden Mills, 1926
Accession Number:: 27.14.11

This artwork is not on display

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Inscription: Obverse: legend in Greek; reverse: (in Greek) Carthage
Provenance

Maurice Kann , Paris (until 1910; sale, Maurice Kann, Paris, no. 404) ; Alphonse Kann (until 1927; sale, Alphonse Kann, no. 353) ; [ American Art Association , New York, 1927; sold to MMA ]
See also
Who
Giovanni del Cavino (6)
What
Metal (59,364)

Sculpture (24,350)

Copper alloy (16,630)

Bronze (11,628)

Medals (3,076)

Plaquettes (2,085)
Where
Europe (148,586)

France (52,276)

Rouen (4,081)
When
A.D. 1400-1600 (20,545)
In the Museum
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts (43,257)

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Demonstration of the Roentgens' Dressing Table (Poudreuse)

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Medalist: Giovanni del Cavino (1500–1570)

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Demonstration of the Roentgens' Dressing Table (Poudreuse)

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Queen Dido

Medalist: Giovanni del Cavino (1500–1570)

Met Media

Met Kids

Met Store