Search the collections

Videos (3)
Demonstration of David Roentgen's Automaton of Queen Marie Antoinette, The Dulcimer Player

Close

<p>Please enable flash to view this media. <a href="http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/">Download the flash player.</a></p>

Please enable flash to view this media. Download the flash player.

Art Object
Program Information

Demonstration of David Roentgen's Automaton of Queen Marie Antoinette, The Dulcimer Player

Program information

Watch a demonstration of Queen Marie Antoinette's Automaton playing one of eight melodies it can perform.

David Roentgen (1743–1807) took his royal patron by surprise when he delivered this beautiful automaton to King Louis XVI for his queen, Marie Antoinette, in 1784. The cabinetry for this piece is very much a neoclassical masterwork, and the mechanism behind it is truly extraordinary: the figure strikes the strings in perfect rhythm with two small metal hammers held in her hands, which move with great precision.

This object, from the Musée des arts et métiers de Paris, is featured in the exhibition Extravagant Inventions: The Princely Furniture of the Roentgens (on view October 30, 2012–January 27, 2013).

View a full documentary featuring this object: http://www.cerimes.fr/le-catalogue/la-joueuse-de-tympanon.html

Footage courtesy of CERIMES.

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) 10523 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration
(00:02:17) 16384 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation
(00:01:00) 3001 views

Related Content

Man Struggling with a Serpent

Man Struggling with a Serpent

Seated Satyr

Seated Satyr

Man with a Toothache

Man with a Toothache

Kneeling Satyr

Kneeling Satyr

Mermaid

Mermaid

Browse current and upcoming exhibitions and events.

Exhibitions:

Events:

Events:

David with the Head of Goliath

Bartolomeo Bellano  (Italian, Padua 1437/38–1496/97 Padua)

Date:
1470–80
Culture:
Italian, Padua
Medium:
Bronze with oil gilding of a later date
Dimensions:
Overall (confirmed): H. 11 1/4 x W. 5 1/4 x D. 4 7/8 in. (28.6 x 13.3 x 12.4 cm)
Classification:
Sculpture
Credit Line:
Gift of C. Ruxton Love Jr., 1964
Accession Number:
64.304.1

This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 536

120020208

Close