The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Marie Thérèse Charlotte, Duchesse d'Angoulême

Art Object

Demonstration of the Roentgens' Dressing Table (Poudreuse)

See how this desk converts into a dressing table.

When closed, this table may not seem like one of the most complex pieces of European furniture ever made. However, once opened, its concealed drawers and hidden features are exposed, and the entire piece transforms into a dressing table, orpoudreuse. Scholars believe it was commissioned as a wedding gift from Abraham (1711–1793) and David Roentgen (1743–1807) by Friedrich August III, Elector of Saxony, to his bride in 1769.

This table, from Museum für Angewandte Kunst, Frankfurt, is featured in the exhibition Extravagant Inventions: The Princely Furniture of the Roentgens (on view October 30, 2012–January 27, 2013).

Images courtesy of Museum für Angewandte Kunst, Frankfurt.

Video/Audio (4)

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

The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet
(00:02:20) 10549 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration
(00:02:17) 16461 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation
(00:01:00) 3008 views

Marie Thérèse Charlotte, Duchesse d'Angoulême

Date:: 19th century
Culture:: French
Medium:: Pink wax against glass painted blue Frame, wood with glass
Dimensions:: With frame, 5-5/8 x 5-3/8 in. (14.3 x 13.7 cm)
Classification:: Sculpture
Credit Line:: The Glenn Tilley Morse Collection, Bequest of Glenn Tilley Morse, 1950
Accession Number:: 50.187.41

This artwork is not on display

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Inscription: Portrait de la duchesse d'Angoulême (On printed newspaper, on back) Marie Louise Charlotte (Madame la Dau/phine) daughter of Louis XVI & Marie An/toinette - Born at Versailles, Dec. 19, 1778/married June 10, 1799 to Louis Antoine/Duc d'Angoulême who became Dauphin/when his father Charles X/became King 1824. (On back, in ink)
Provenance

Glenn Tilley Morse (until 1950; bequeathed to MMA)
See also
What
Sculpture (24,350)

Glass (16,037)

Wood (7,651)

Painting (5,225)

Medals (3,076)

Wax (1,259)

Frames (996)

Medallions (829)

Miniature (768)
Where
Europe (148,586)

France (52,276)
When
A.D. 1800-1900 (80,185)
In the Museum
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts (43,257)
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
France, 1800–1900 A.D.