The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Set of four side chairs

Art Object

The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet

Discover the hidden features and intricate interior of this cabinet.

One of the finest achievements of European furniture making, this cabinet is the most important product from Abraham (1711–1793) and David Roentgen's (1743–1807) workshop. A writing cabinet crowned with a chiming clock, it features finely designed marquetry panels and elaborate mechanisms that allow for doors and drawers to be opened automatically at the touch of a button. Owned by King Frederick William II, the Berlin cabinet is uniquely remarkable for its ornate decoration, mechanical complexity, and sheer size.

This cabinet, from Kunstgewerbemuseum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, is featured in the exhibition Extravagant Inventions: The Princely Furniture of the Roentgens (on view October 30, 2012–January 27, 2013).

Footage courtesy of VideoART GmbH and Kunstgewerbemuseum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin.

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) 16640 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation
(00:01:00) 3015 views

Set of four side chairs

Date:: ca. 1730–35
Culture:: British
Medium:: Walnut, burr walnut veneer, parcel gilt
Dimensions:: each 38 x 22 x 22 in. (96.5 x 55.9 x 55.9 cm)
Classification:: Woodwork
Credit Line:: Gift of Irwin Untermyer, 1964
Accession Number:: 64.101.951-954

This artwork is not on display

Provenance

Mrs. Charles Hunter ; Percival D. Griffiths ; Mrs. Wilfred Buckley (until 1937; sale, Sotheby's, London, June 25, 1937, lot 105; to Frank Partridge); [ Frank Partridge (in 1937) ] ; Irwin Untermyer , New York (until 1964; to MMA)
See also
What
Gilt (9,043)

Wood (7,651)

Furniture (5,725)

Woodwork (2,582)

Seating furniture (1,792)

Chairs (1,486)

Walnut (909)

Side chairs (537)

Veneer (242)
Where
Europe (148,586)

United Kingdom (25,557)

England (9,102)

Staffordshire (4,248)
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.