The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Art Object

The Roentgens' Rolltop Desk

Watch as this desk's hidden features are revealed.

The richly embellished surface of this rolltop desk conceals a wealth of mechanical surprises and features, including a spectacular arrangement of almost forty compartments and drawers. Abraham (1711–1793) and David Roentgen (1743–1807) designed this table not just for writing and reading but also to function as a dressing table, or poudreuse.

This table, from Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens in Washington, D.C., is featured in the exhibition Extravagant Inventions: The Princely Furniture of the Roentgens (on view October 30, 2012–January 27, 2013).

Learn more about this object: http://trio.hillwoodmuseum.org/detail.php?t=objects&type=related&kv=13072

Footage courtesy of Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens.

Video/Audio (4)

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

The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet
(00:02:20) 11524 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration
(00:02:17) 18103 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation
(00:01:00) 3147 views

Punch bowl

Date:: late 18th century
Culture:: Chinese
Medium:: Hard-paste porcelain
Dimensions:: H. 5 7/8 in. (14.9 cm.); Diam. 14 3/8 in. (36.5 cm.)
Classification:: Ceramics
Credit Line:: Helena Woolworth McCann Collection, Gift of Winfield Foundation, 1955
Accession Number:: 55.170

This artwork is not on display

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Inscription: [1] THE ABBEY AT ABERBROTHICK (below each scene) [2] W J M (monogram on each crest)
Provenance

Mrs. Harrison Williams (until 1945; sale, Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, December 1, 1945, no. 262); Sol M. Flock (until 1955; sale, Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, March 26, 1955, no. 328; to Winfield Foundation); Helena Woolworth McCann
See also
What
Ceramics (29,329)

Clay (23,630)

Faience (11,688)

Porcelain (11,377)

Bowls (5,013)

Hard paste porcelain (2,916)

Punch bowls (39)
Where
Asia (68,122)

China (17,349)
When
A.D. 1600-1800 (67,116)
In the Museum
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts (43,228)
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
China, 1600–1800 A.D.

Central and North Asia, 1600–1800 A.D.
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