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
(00:00:52)

The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet
(00:02:20) 10702 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration
(00:02:17) 16956 views

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

Monumental vase

pedestal and mounts by Pierre Philippe Thomire (French, Paris 1751–1843 Paris)

Date:: early 19th century (lapidary work); 1819 (pedestal and mounts)
Culture:: Probably Italian, Florence and French, Paris
Medium:: Russian malachite, composite filling material; gilt-bronze mounts; bronze pedestal
Dimensions:: Overall: H. with pedestal 109 1/4 in., Wt. 1575lb. (277.5 cm, 714.4153kg); Vase: H. without pedestal 63 3/4 x Circum. at top 54 x Circum. at bottom 30 (161.9 x 137.2 x 76.2 cm); Pedestal: H. 45 1/2 x W. 37 1/2 x D. 37 1/2 in. (115.6 x 95.3 x 95.3 cm)
Classification:: Natural Substances
Credit Line:: Purchase, Admiral Frederic R. Harris Gift, 1944
Accession Number:: 44.152a, b

This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 553

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Signature: THOMIRE A PARIS 1819 (Incised on pedestal)
Provenance

Palazzo San Donato, near Florence, ItalyCount Nicholas Demidoff (until d. 1828) ; by descent to Prince Anatole Demidoff (until d. 1870) ; [ Demidoff estate, Palace of San Donato , Florence, March 15, 1880, no. 1019; to Vanderbilt ] ; William Henry Vanderbilt , New York (1880) ; Brigadier General Cornelius Vanderbilt , New York ; Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt (until 1944; sold to MMA)
See also
Who
Pierre Philippe Thomire (11)
What
Metal (59,587)

Vessels (21,925)

Copper alloy (16,651)

Bronze (11,649)

Gilt (9,067)

Vases (8,895)

Plate (2,674)

Ormolu (1,682)

Pedestals (113)

Malachite (43)

Russian (3)
Where
Europe (150,013)

Italy (24,981)

Tuscany (1,231)

Florence (564)
When
A.D. 1800-1900 (80,792)
In the Museum
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts (43,264)
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
Empire Style, 1800–1815

Southern Europe, 1800–1900 A.D.

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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration

Monumental vase

pedestal and mounts by Pierre Philippe Thomire (French, Paris 1751–1843 Paris)

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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration

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Monumental vase

pedestal and mounts by Pierre Philippe Thomire (French, Paris 1751–1843 Paris)

Met Media

Met Kids

Met Store