The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Cephalus Killing Procris

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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Cephalus Killing Procris

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

Date:: 1533
Culture:: Italian, Urbino (lustred in Gubbio)
Medium:: Maiolica (tin-enameled earthenware)
Dimensions:: Diam. 11-1/4 in. (28.6 cm)
Classification:: Ceramics
Credit Line:: Gift of V. Everit Macy, in memory of his wife, Edith Carpenter Macy, 1927
Accession Number:: 27.97.41

This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 503

Description

Cephalus unwittingly killed his wife, Procris, when he threw his spear on hearing a mysterious noise in the forest.
Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Signature: On back, after inscription: ".fra(n) Xanto. A./ Rovigiese i(n) Urbino."

Inscription: On back: ".1533/ l'inaveduto Cephal/ procri uccide./ Nel VII. libro d(e) Ouidio Met:" (trans.: The careless Cephalus kills Procris. From the seventh book of Ovid's Metamorphoses.)
Provenance

Bernal ; Sir Andrew Fountaine , Narford Hall (until 1884; Andrew Fountaine collection sale, Christie, Manson & Woods, London, June 16–19, 1884, no. 324); Charles Testart (until 1924; sale, Catalogue des faiences italiennes... composant la collection de Feu m. Charles Testart, June 24–25, 1924, Hôtel Drouot, Paris, no. 25; to Seligmann); [ Germain Seligman (in 1924) ] ; V. Everit Macy (until 1927; to MMA)
See also
Who
Fra Xanto Avelli da Rovigo (11)
What
Ceramics (29,320)

Pottery (12,856)

Earthenware (6,696)

Drinking vessels (6,032)

Cups (3,861)

Maiolica (565)

Tazzas (107)
Where
Europe (148,586)

Italy (20,983)

Urbino (92)
When
A.D. 1400-1600 (20,545)
In the Museum
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts (43,257)
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
Florence and Central Italy, 1400–1600 A.D.

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Demonstration of the Roentgens' Dressing Table (Poudreuse)

Cephalus Killing Procris

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

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Demonstration of the Roentgens' Dressing Table (Poudreuse)

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Cephalus Killing Procris

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

Met Media

Met Kids

Met Store