The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Francesco IV Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua (1586-1612)

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).

Video/Audio (4)

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

The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet
(00:02:20) 10613 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration
(00:02:17) 16547 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation
(00:01:00) 3012 views

Francesco IV Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua (1586-1612)

Medalist: Guillaume Dupré (French, 1574–1642)

Date:: 1612
Culture:: French
Medium:: Bronze, brown patina
Dimensions:: Diam. 6 1/2 in. (165 mm.)
Classification:: Medals and Plaquettes
Credit Line:: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1936
Accession Number:: 36.110.31

This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 532

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Signature: (below tranche of shoulder) G.DVPRE.F. 1612

Inscription: (in margin) FRAN[ciscus].IIII.D[ei].G[ratia].DVX.MANT[uae].V.MONT[is].FER[rati].III.AN[no].I.AET[atis.XXVI. (Francesco IV by the grace of God fifth duke of Mantua, third duke of Montferrat, the first year [of his reign], the twenty-sixth of his age)
Provenance

Butler ; Henry Oppenheimer (until 1936; sale, Christie, Manson and Woods, London, July 29, 1936, p. 83, no. 317; sold to MMA)
See also
Who
Guillaume Dupré (26)
What
Metal (59,364)

Sculpture (24,350)

Copper alloy (16,630)

Bronze (11,628)

Medals (3,076)

Plaquettes (2,085)

Patina (368)
Where
Europe (148,586)

France (52,276)
When
A.D. 1600-1800 (66,179)
In the Museum
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts (43,257)
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: Demonstration

Francesco IV Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua (1586-1612)

Medalist: Guillaume Dupré (French, 1574–1642)

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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration

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Francesco IV Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua (1586-1612)

Medalist: Guillaume Dupré (French, 1574–1642)

Met Media

Met Kids

Met Store