The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Art Object

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration

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
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The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet
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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration
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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation
(00:01:00) 3016 views

Saint John

Workshop of Neroccio de' Landi (Italian, Siena 1447–1500 Siena)

Date:: late 15th century
Culture:: Italian, Siena (?)
Medium:: Partially gilt bronze
Dimensions:: H. 7-5/8 in. (19.4 cm.); H. of base ca. 3-3/16 in. 98.1 cm.)
Classification:: Sculpture
Credit Line:: Rogers Fund, 1960
Accession Number:: 60.37.2

This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 500

Description

The figures flanked a figure of the crucified Christ. They have been associated with the work of Neroccoi di Bartolommeo de'Landi (1447–1500), a Sienese painter and sculptor whose style fused the late Gothic with the early Renaissance.
Provenance

[ John J. Klejman , 1960; sold to MMA ]
See also
Who
Neroccio de' Landi (3)
What
Metal (59,364)

Sculpture (24,350)

Copper alloy (16,630)

Bronze (11,628)

Gilt (9,043)

Statues (4,078)

Figurines (3,249)
Where
Europe (148,586)

Italy (20,983)

Tuscany (1,162)

Siena (547)
When
A.D. 1400-1600 (20,545)
In the Museum
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts (43,257)
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
Florence and Central Italy, 1400–1600 A.D.

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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration

Saint John

Workshop of Neroccio de' Landi (Italian, Siena 1447–1500 Siena)

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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration

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Saint John

Workshop of Neroccio de' Landi (Italian, Siena 1447–1500 Siena)

Met Media

Met Kids

Met Store