The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Art Object

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation

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).

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

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Date:: early 17th century
Culture:: French (Avon) (School of)
Medium:: Lead-glazed earthenware
Dimensions:: Overall (confirmed): 9 13/16 x 4 1/2 x 3 5/16 in. (24.9 x 11.4 x 8.4 cm)
Classification:: Ceramics
Credit Line:: Gift of Julia A. Berwind, 1953
Accession Number:: 53.225.51

This artwork is not on display

Provenance

Possibly Émile Gavet (until 1897; sale, Catalogue des objets d'art et de haute curiosite de la Renaissance…La Collection de M[onsieur] Emile Gavet, Galerie Georges Petit, Paris, May 31–June 9, 1897, p. 128, no. 495)
See also
What
Ceramics (29,320)

Pottery (12,856)

Earthenware (6,696)

Glaze (5,188)

Figures (5,008)

Ceramic glaze (1,114)

Lead glaze (301)
Where
Europe (148,586)

France (52,276)

Seine-et-Marne (51)

Avon (10)
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.