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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration

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Art Object
Program Information

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration

Program information

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).

David Roentgen: Long-Case Clock

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

The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet

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

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration

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

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation

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

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Cabinet

Cabinet

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Exhibitions:

Events:

Events:

Jewel coffer on a writing stand (Coffre à bijoux)

Coffer attributed to Martin Carlin  (French, near Freiburg im Breisgau ca. 1730–1785 Paris)

Factory:
Porcelain plaques by Sèvres Manufactory (French, 1740–present)
Decorator:
Eight plaques decorated by Jean-Jacques Pierre the Younger (active 1763–1800)
Decorator:
One plaque decorated by Michel-Gabriel Commelin (1746–1802)
Date:
ca. 1770
Culture:
French, Paris and Sèvres
Medium:
Oak veneered with tulipwood, amaranth, stained sycamore, holly, and ebonized holly; mounted with thirteen soft-paste porcelain plaques; gilt-bronze mounts; lined with modern velvet
Dimensions:
H. 37 1/2 in. (95.3 cm.), W. 21 3/4 in. (55.2 cm.), D. 14 1/2 in. (36.8 cm.)
Classification:
Woodwork
Credit Line:
Gift of Samuel H. Kress Foundation, 1958
Accession Number:
58.75.41

This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 529

120017492

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