The Metropolitan Museum of Art - The Lion of Saint Mark

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) 10632 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration
(00:02:17) 16720 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation
(00:01:00) 3016 views

The Lion of Saint Mark

Date:: ca. 1500–1510
Culture:: Italian, Deruta
Medium:: Tin-glazed earthenware (maiolica)
Dimensions:: Overall (confirmed): H. 1 1/8 x Diam. 9 5/16 in. (2.9 x 23.7 cm)
Classification:: Ceramics
Credit Line:: Fletcher Fund, 1946
Accession Number:: 46.85.41

This artwork is not on display

Description

This plate was made in Umbria for the Venetian market, and is decorated with the arms of the city – the Lion of St. Mark with an open book inscribed PAX TIBI MARCE EVANGELISTA MEUS (Peace be with you, Mark, my Evangelist).
Provenance

Charles Mannheim (by 1898) ; Emile Gaillard (until 1904; sale catalogue, Paris, June 8, 1904, no. 456) ; J. Pierpont Morgan ; Mortimer L. Schiff (before 1927–46; sale, Mortimer L. Schiff collection, Parke- Bernet Galleries, Inc., New York, May 4, 1946, no. 87; to French & Co. for MMA)
See also
What
Ceramics (29,320)

Pottery (12,856)

Dishes (6,707)

Earthenware (6,696)

Plates (3,598)

Maiolica (565)
Where
Europe (148,586)

Italy (20,983)

Umbrian (189)

Perugia (135)

Deruta (67)
When
A.D. 1400-1600 (20,545)
In the Museum
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts (43,257)
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
Florence and Central Italy, 1400–1600 A.D.