The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Art Object

The Roentgens' Dressing Table (Poudreuse)

See how this desk converts into a dressing table.

When closed, this table may not seem like one of the most complex pieces of European furniture ever made. However, once opened, its concealed drawers and hidden features are exposed, and the entire piece transforms into a dressing table, orpoudreuse. Scholars believe it was commissioned as a wedding gift from Abraham (1711–1793) and David Roentgen (1743–1807) by Friedrich August III, Elector of Saxony, to his bride in 1769.

This table, from Museum für Angewandte Kunst, Frankfurt, is featured in the exhibition Extravagant Inventions: The Princely Furniture of the Roentgens (on view October 30, 2012–January 27, 2013).

Images courtesy of Museum für Angewandte Kunst, Frankfurt.

Video/Audio (4)

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

The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet
(00:02:20) 10652 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration
(00:02:17) 16792 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation
(00:01:00) 3020 views

Vase

Date:: late 15th century
Culture:: Italian (Faenza)
Medium:: Maiolica (tin-enameled earthenware)
Dimensions:: Overall (confirmed): 12 3/8 x 10 1/8 x 8 1/8 in. (31.4 x 25.7 x 20.6 cm)
Classification:: Ceramics
Credit Line:: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, by exchange, 1965
Accession Number:: 65.6.1

This artwork is not on display

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Marking: Stamped on underside in clay, a medallion with coat-of-arms (collector's mark?)
Provenance

van de Hoeven ; Charles Mannheim ; Walter von Pannwitz (by 1925) ; [ his collection through Stiebel Ltd. , sold to MMA ]
See also
What
Ceramics (29,320)

Vessels (21,921)

Pottery (12,856)

Vases (8,895)

Earthenware (6,696)

Maiolica (565)
Where
Europe (148,586)

Italy (20,983)

Ravenna (55)

Faenza (46)
When
A.D. 1400-1600 (20,545)
In the Museum
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts (43,257)
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
Venice and Northern Italy, 1400–1600 A.D.