The Metropolitan Museum of Art - The Entombment of Christ

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).

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The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet
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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration
(00:02:17) 18103 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation
(00:01:00) 3147 views

The Entombment of Christ

Painted by Fra Xanto Avelli da Rovigo (ca. 1486–1582)

Artist:: After a print by Mantegna
Date:: 1536
Culture:: Italian, Urbino (lustred in Gubbio)
Medium:: Maiolica (tin-enameled earthenware), lustered
Dimensions:: Diam. 10-3/4 in. (27.3 cm)
Classification:: Ceramics
Credit Line:: Gift of V. Everit Macy, in memory of his wife, Edith Carpenter Macy, 1927
Accession Number:: 27.97.30

This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 503

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Signature: On back: ".F.X./ Rovi:"

Inscription: On back: "1536/ Ite superbi e miseri Christia/ ni/ Consumando l'un l'altro, e, non/ vi caglia/ che'l sepulcro di Christo/ è in man dei Cani/" (trans.: Go-to, ye proud and wretched Christians, wasting one another and (all the while) it puts you in no fear that the sepulchre of the Lord is in the hands of dogs.)
Provenance

V. Everit Macy (until 1927; to MMA)
See also
Who
Fra Xanto Avelli da Rovigo (11)

Mantegna (1)
What
Ceramics (29,329)

Pottery (12,858)

Earthenware (6,695)

Drinking vessels (6,031)

Cups (3,858)

Maiolica (548)

Tazzas (106)
Where
Europe (150,419)

Italy (24,960)

Urbino (92)
When
A.D. 1400-1600 (20,608)
In the Museum
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts (43,228)
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
Florence and Central Italy, 1400–1600 A.D.
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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration

The Entombment of Christ

Painted by Fra Xanto Avelli da Rovigo (ca. 1486–1582)

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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration

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The Entombment of Christ

Painted by Fra Xanto Avelli da Rovigo (ca. 1486–1582)

Met Media

Met Kids

Met Store