The Metropolitan Museum of Art - The Entombment of Christ

Art Object

The Roentgens' Rolltop Desk

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.

Video/Audio (4)

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

The Entombment of Christ

Andrea Briosco, called Riccio (Italian, Trent 1470–1532 Padua)

Date:: probably early 16th century
Culture:: Italian (Paduan)
Medium:: Bronze
Dimensions:: 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 in. (11.4 x 16.5 cm.)
Classification:: Medals and Plaquettes
Credit Line:: Rogers Fund, 1939
Accession Number:: 39.144

This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 536

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Inscription: QVEM. TOTUS. NON./ CAP. ORB. IN HAC/ TVUMBA. CLAVDIT. (Quem totus non capit orbis, in hac tumba clauditur-He whom the whole world cannot contain is enclosed within this tomb).
Provenance

Maurice Kann (until 1910; Kann sale, Galerie Georges Petit, Paris, December 5 –8, 1910, no. 383); Arthur Sambon ; Elkan and Helbing ; Morgenroth
See also
Who
Andrea Briosco, called Riccio (32)
What
Metal (59,483)

Sculpture (24,342)

Copper alloy (16,678)

Bronze (11,670)

Medals (3,077)

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

Italy (24,960)
When
A.D. 1400-1600 (20,634)
In the Museum
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts (43,228)
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
Florence and Central Italy, 1400–1600 A.D.
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The Roentgens' Rolltop Desk

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Andrea Briosco, called Riccio (Italian, Trent 1470–1532 Padua)

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The Roentgens' Rolltop Desk

Related Content

The Entombment of Christ

Andrea Briosco, called Riccio (Italian, Trent 1470–1532 Padua)

Met Media

Met Kids

Met Store