The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Clock (Pendule a Console)

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
(00:00:52)

The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet
(00:02:20) 10583 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration
(00:02:17) 16547 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation
(00:01:00) 3012 views

Clock (Pendule a Console)

Clockmaker: Louis Mÿnuel (about 1675/80–1742)

Maker:: Case attributed to Charles Cressent (1685–1768, active 1719–68)
Date:: ca. 1720–23
Culture:: French (Paris)
Medium:: Case: brass and oak, veneered with brass and tortoiseshell with gilt-bronze mounts; Dial: gilt-brass, enamel
Dimensions:: 38-1/4 x 22-1/2 x 9-1/2 in. (97.2 x 57.2 x 24.1 cm)
Classification:: Horology
Credit Line:: Fletcher Fund, 1961
Accession Number:: 61.69

This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 551

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Signature: MYNUEL/ A PARIS (on enamel plaque, below dial) (see image); Mynuel A Paris (in script - engraved on back of dial) (see image)
Provenance

baron Maurice de Rothschild ; Anonymous (until 1957; "Madame X" sale catalogue, Galerie Charpentier, April 6, 1957, no. 61); [ Mr. Bissey (by 1960) ]
See also
Who
Charles Cressent (3)

Louis Mÿnuel (1)
What
Metal (59,364)

Copper alloy (16,630)

Bronze (11,628)

Gilt (9,043)

Wood (7,651)

Brass (3,505)

Plate (2,675)

Cases (1,751)

Ormolu (1,683)

Enamel (1,662)

Timepieces (1,121)

Oak (1,089)

Clocks (611)

Tortoise shell (374)

Dials (94)
Where
Europe (148,586)

France (52,276)

Paris (2,025)
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.

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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration

Clock (Pendule a Console)

Clockmaker: Louis Mÿnuel (about 1675/80–1742)

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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration

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Clock (Pendule a Console)

Clockmaker: Louis Mÿnuel (about 1675/80–1742)

Met Media

Met Kids

Met Store