The Metropolitan Museum of Art

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).

Video/Audio (4)

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

The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet
(00:02:20) 11489 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration
(00:02:17) 18049 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation
(00:01:00) 3142 views

Plate

Höchst Manufactory

Date:: ca. 1750–55
Culture:: German (Höchst)
Medium:: Hard-paste porcelain
Dimensions:: H. 1 in. (2.5 cm.); Diam. 9-5/8 in. (24.4 cm.)
Classification:: Ceramics
Credit Line:: The George B. McClellan Collection, Gift of Mrs. George B. McClellan, 1941
Accession Number:: 42.205.121

This artwork is not on display

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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation

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Höchst Manufactory

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