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The Roentgens' Rolltop Desk

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Art Object
Program Information

The Roentgens' Rolltop Desk

Program information

Watch as this desk's hidden features are revealed.

The richly embellished surface of this rolltop desk conceals a wealth of mechanical surprises and features, including a spectacular arrangement of almost forty compartments and drawers. Abraham (1711–1793) and David Roentgen (1743–1807) designed this table not just for writing and reading but also to function as a dressing table, or poudreuse.

This table, from Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens in Washington, D.C., is featured in the exhibition Extravagant Inventions: The Princely Furniture of the Roentgens (on view October 30, 2012–January 27, 2013).

Learn more about this object: http://trio.hillwoodmuseum.org/detail.php?t=objects&type=related&kv=13072

Footage courtesy of Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens.

David Roentgen: Long-Case Clock

David Roentgen: Long-Case Clock
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The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet

The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet
(00:02:20) 10702 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration
(00:02:17) 16956 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation
(00:01:00) 3033 views

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Exhibitions:

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Louis Nicolas Victor de Félix, Comte du Muy and Marshal of France (1711–1775)

Jean Jacques Caffiéri  (French, Paris 1725–1792 Paris)

Date:
1776
Culture:
French (Paris)
Medium:
Marble
Dimensions:
H. 31-1/2 in. (80.0 cm)
Classification:
Sculpture
Credit Line:
Fletcher Fund, 1928
Accession Number:
28.193

This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 549

  • Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

    Signature: I.I. CAFFIERI. SCVLPSIT/ 1776 (On left side of base)

    Inscription: LOUIS NICOLAS VICTOR /DE FELIX C.TE DUMUY/M.AL DE FRANCE VIRTUTIS VERAE CUSTOS, RIGIDUSQUE SATELLES / HORA (Keeper of true virtue and its inflexible guardian - Horace) (On moulding of socle) O NIMIUM LUGENDE BONIS, PATRIAEQUE TUISQUE, / NOS TUA VITA DOCET VIVERE, MORSQUE MORI / VIVERE SIVE MORI VIS DISCERE. CERNE MAGISTRUM / QUEM MIHI TRISTE FUIT SIC MEMINESSE MORI. (O never too much to be mourned by the good, and your country, and your friends, Your life teaches us how to live, your death how to die. Would one learn how to live or to die, let him study this master, whom to have seen die was a grief to me.) (on base of socle)

  • Provenance

    Baron von Bourscheidt ; [ French and Co., New York , 1928; sold to MMA ]

  • See also
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    In the Museum
    Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
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