The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Louis XIII, King of France (b. 1601, r. 1610-43) and Anne of Austria, his consort (1601-66)

Art Object

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation

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).

David Roentgen: Long-Case Clock
(00:00:52)

The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet
(00:02:20) 11592 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration
(00:02:17) 18190 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation
(00:01:00) 3155 views

Louis XIII, King of France (b. 1601, r. 1610-43) and Anne of Austria, his consort (1601-66)

Medalist: Guillaume Dupré (French, 1574–1642)

Date:: 1620 and 1623
Culture:: French
Medium:: Bronze
Dimensions:: Diam. 2 3/8 in. (60 mm.)
Classification:: Medals and Plaquettes
Credit Line:: Bequest of Gwynne M. Andrews, 1931
Accession Number:: 31.33.22

This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 532

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Signature: (below tranche of shoulder on obverse) G.DVPRE; (engraved on tranche of shoulder) 1623; (below tranche of shoulder on reverse) G.DVPRE F 1620

Inscription: Obverse: (in margin) LVDOVIC[us].XIII.D[ei].G[ratia].FRANCOR[um].ET.NAVARAE.REX. (Louis XIII, by the grace of God, King of the French and of Navarre); reverse: (in margin) ANNA.AVGVS[ta].GALLIAE ET NAVARAE REGINA (Anne, august Queen of France and of Navarre)
See also
Who
Guillaume Dupré (26)
What
Metal (59,483)

Sculpture (24,342)

Copper alloy (16,678)

Bronze (11,670)

Medals (3,077)

Plaquettes (2,084)
Where
Europe (150,372)

France (49,614)
When
A.D. 1600-1800 (67,128)
In the Museum
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts (43,228)
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
Ceramics in the French Renaissance

Pastoral Charms in the French Renaissance

France, 1600–1800 A.D.
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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation

Louis XIII, King of France (b. 1601, r. 1610-43) and Anne of Austria, his consort (1601-66)

Medalist: Guillaume Dupré (French, 1574–1642)

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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation

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Louis XIII, King of France (b. 1601, r. 1610-43) and Anne of Austria, his consort (1601-66)

Medalist: Guillaume Dupré (French, 1574–1642)

Met Media

Met Kids

Met Store