The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Maffeo Barberini (1568-1644), Cardinal 1606, Pope under the name of Urban VIII (1623-44)

Art Object

The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet

Discover the hidden features and intricate interior of this cabinet.

One of the finest achievements of European furniture making, this cabinet is the most important product from Abraham (1711–1793) and David Roentgen's (1743–1807) workshop. A writing cabinet crowned with a chiming clock, it features finely designed marquetry panels and elaborate mechanisms that allow for doors and drawers to be opened automatically at the touch of a button. Owned by King Frederick William II, the Berlin cabinet is uniquely remarkable for its ornate decoration, mechanical complexity, and sheer size.

This cabinet, from Kunstgewerbemuseum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, is featured in the exhibition Extravagant Inventions: The Princely Furniture of the Roentgens (on view October 30, 2012–January 27, 2013).

Footage courtesy of VideoART GmbH and Kunstgewerbemuseum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin.

Video/Audio (4)

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

The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet
(00:02:20) 11562 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration
(00:02:17) 18147 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation
(00:01:00) 3152 views

Maffeo Barberini (1568-1644), Cardinal 1606, Pope under the name of Urban VIII (1623-44)

Medalist: Guillaume Dupré (French, 1574–1642)

Date:: 1612
Culture:: French
Medium:: Bronze, brown patina
Dimensions:: Diam. 4 5/8 in. (117 mm.)
Classification:: Medals and Plaquettes
Credit Line:: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1936
Accession Number:: 36.110.32

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) MAPH[aeus].S[anctae].R[omanae].E[cclesiae].P[raesbiter].CAR[dinalis].BARBERIN[us].SIG[illi].IVST[itiae].PRA[fectus].BONO[niae].LEG[atus]. (Maffeo, priest of the holy Roman church, cardinal Barberini, chancelor and papal legate to Bologna)
Provenance

Henry Oppenheimer (until 1936; sale, Christie, Manson and Woods, London, July 29, 1936, no. 318; sold to MMA)
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)

Patina (375)
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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The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet

Maffeo Barberini (1568-1644), Cardinal 1606, Pope under the name of Urban VIII (1623-44)

Medalist: Guillaume Dupré (French, 1574–1642)

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The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet

Related Content

Maffeo Barberini (1568-1644), Cardinal 1606, Pope under the name of Urban VIII (1623-44)

Medalist: Guillaume Dupré (French, 1574–1642)

Met Media

Met Kids

Met Store