The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Ewer and basin (Pot à la Romaine uni et jatte ovale)

Art Object

Abraham Roentgen's Writing Desk

Discover the secret compartments of this writing table and see how it can be transformed into a private altar.

Perhaps the most exquisite and technically refined piece from German cabinetmaker Abraham Roentgen (1711–1793), this desk was made for his premier patron, the Catholic official Johann Philipp von Walderdorff. Its interior holds a multitude of drawers, panels, and compartments, in addition to sophisticated mechanical fittings that safeguard the elector’s privacy.

This writing table from the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, is featured in the exhibition Extravagant Inventions: The Princely Furniture of the Roentgens (on view October 30, 2012–January 27, 2013). Learn more about the table: http://www.rijksmuseum.nl/collectie/BK-16676/bureau-op-s-vormige-poten-versierd-met-marqueterie.

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

Ewer and basin (Pot à la Romaine uni et jatte ovale)

Vincennes Manufactory (French, ca. 1740–1756)

Date:: 1754–55
Culture:: French, Vincennes
Medium:: Soft-paste porcelain
Dimensions:: Ewer (.177): H. 9 3/8 in. (23.8 cm.) Basin (.178): L. 14 3/8 in. (36.5 cm.); W. 10 1/8 in. (25.7 cm.)
Classification:: Ceramics
Credit Line:: Gift of R. Thornton Wilson, in memory of Florence Ellsworth Wilson, 1950
Accession Number:: 50.211.177, .178

This artwork is not on display

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Marking: [1] Crossed Ls enclosing B (factory mark and year letter; in blue enamel on underside of ewer) [2] Crossed Ls enclosing trace of illegible letter (on underside of basin)
Provenance

Olivier Lévy ; Private Collection, Belgium ; [ Stiebel Ltd. , New York, before 1950; sold to Mr. Wilson ]
See also
Who
Vincennes Manufactory (40)
What
Ceramics (29,320)

Clay (23,649)

Vessels (21,921)

Faience (11,698)

Porcelain (11,369)

Soft paste porcelain (2,017)

Pots (619)

Ewers (562)

Basins (155)

Roman (2)
Where
Europe (148,586)

France (52,276)

Vincennes (40)
When
A.D. 1600-1800 (66,179)
In the Museum
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts (43,257)
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
France, 1600–1800 A.D.

WHAT IS MYMET?

Abraham Roentgen's Writing Desk

Ewer and basin (Pot à la Romaine uni et jatte ovale)

Vincennes Manufactory (French, ca. 1740–1756)

Met Media

Met Kids

Met Store

WHAT IS MYMET?

Already have a mymet account? Sign in

Abraham Roentgen's Writing Desk

Related Content

Ewer and basin (Pot à la Romaine uni et jatte ovale)

Vincennes Manufactory (French, ca. 1740–1756)

Met Media

Met Kids

Met Store