The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Art Object

The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet

Discover the hidden features and intricate interior of this cabinet.

One of the finest achievements of European furniture making, this cabinet is the most important product from Abraham (1711–1793) and David Roentgen's (1743–1807) workshop. A writing cabinet crowned with a chiming clock, it features finely designed marquetry panels and elaborate mechanisms that allow for doors and drawers to be opened automatically at the touch of a button. Owned by King Frederick William II, the Berlin cabinet is uniquely remarkable for its ornate decoration, mechanical complexity, and sheer size.

This cabinet, from Kunstgewerbemuseum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, is featured in the exhibition Extravagant Inventions: The Princely Furniture of the Roentgens (on view October 30, 2012–January 27, 2013).

Footage courtesy of VideoART GmbH and Kunstgewerbemuseum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin.

Video/Audio (4)

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

The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet
(00:02:20) 10679 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration
(00:02:17) 16910 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation
(00:01:00) 3027 views

Walking Bull

Rosa Bonheur (French, Bordeaux 1822–1899 Thomery)

Date:: original model made in 1846
Culture:: French
Medium:: Bronze
Dimensions:: H. 6-7/8 in. (17.5 cm.); W. 4-3/8 in. (11.1 cm.); L. 12-7/16 in. (31.6 cm.)
Classification:: Sculpture
Credit Line:: Gift of the Estate of Mrs. Edward Robinson, 1952
Accession Number:: 52.126.1

This artwork is not on display

WHAT IS MYMET?

The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet

Walking Bull

Rosa Bonheur (French, Bordeaux 1822–1899 Thomery)

Met Media

Met Kids

Met Store

WHAT IS MYMET?

Already have a mymet account? Sign in

The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet

Related Content

Walking Bull

Rosa Bonheur (French, Bordeaux 1822–1899 Thomery)

Met Media

Met Kids

Met Store