The Metropolitan Museum of Art

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).

David Roentgen: Long-Case Clock
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The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet
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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration
(00:02:17) 16956 views

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

Pharmacy jar

Date:: ca. 1500–1520
Culture:: Italian, perhaps Siena
Medium:: Maiolica (tin-enameled earthenware)
Dimensions:: Overall (confirmed): H. 12 3/4 x W. 11 3/8 x D. 10 3/4 in. (32.4 x 28.9 x 27.3 cm)
Classification:: Ceramics
Credit Line:: Bequest of George Blumenthal, 1941
Accession Number:: 41.190.68

This artwork is not on display

Description

Jars such as this were found in apothecary shops, filled with the product described on the cartouche, in this case "Lactuce [con]diti," possibly a form of preserved lettuce ("Lattuga"), or a plant with sedative powers, Lactusa virosa.
Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Inscription: In Gothic characters, "LACTUCE QDITI".
Provenance

George and Florence Blumenthal (before 1926–41; his bequest to MMA)
See also
What
Ceramics (29,326)

Vessels (21,925)

Pottery (12,856)

Earthenware (6,693)

Jars (4,434)

Maiolica (548)

Apothecary jars (139)
Where
Europe (150,013)

Italy (24,981)
When
A.D. 1400-1600 (20,619)
In the Museum
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts (43,264)