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).

Video/Audio (4)

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

The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet
(00:02:20) 10613 views

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

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

Miniature tankard

George Manjoy (British, active 1685–ca. 1720)

Date:: 1707–8
Culture:: British, London
Medium:: Silver
Dimensions:: H. 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm); Diam. 1 in. (2.5 cm.)
Classification:: Metalwork
Credit Line:: The Joseph M. and Aimee Loeb May Collection, 1963
Accession Number:: 63.53.23

This artwork is not on display

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Marking: [1] Britannia [2] M (London date letter for 1707-1708) [3] Lion's head erased [4] MA (maker's mark for George Manjoy) [5] MA (maker's mark for George Manjoy) Location of marks [1]-[4] on body, near rim [3]-[5] inside cover
See also
Who
George Manjoy (43)
What
Metal (59,364)

Metalwork (14,716)

Silver (14,056)

Drinking vessels (6,032)

Miniature (768)

Tankards (307)
Where
Europe (148,586)

United Kingdom (25,557)

England (9,102)

London (2,006)
When
A.D. 1600-1800 (66,179)
In the Museum
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts (43,257)
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
Great Britain and Ireland, 1600–1800 A.D.

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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration

Miniature tankard

George Manjoy (British, active 1685–ca. 1720)

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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration

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Miniature tankard

George Manjoy (British, active 1685–ca. 1720)

Met Media

Met Kids

Met Store