The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Plate (one of a pair)

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) 10702 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration
(00:02:17) 16956 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation
(00:01:00) 3033 views

Plate (one of a pair)

Style of Nicola da Urbino (Italian, active by 1520–died ?1537/38 Urbino)

Date:: ca. 1525 or later
Culture:: Italian, Castel Durante
Medium:: Maiolica (tin-enameled earthenware)
Dimensions:: Overall (confirmed): 1 11/16 x 8 3/8 in. (4.3 x 21.3 cm)
Classification:: Ceramics
Credit Line:: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, by exchange, 1965
Accession Number:: 65.6.8

This artwork is not on display

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Inscription: On white scroll, in blue: "PHILOMENA"

Marking: Affixed to underside: red medallion with letter "F" in center (collector's mark)
Provenance

Joseph Fau (until 1884; sale, Hotel Drouot, Paris, March 1–2, 1884, nos. 15 -16 (65.6.7 and .8, described)); Walter von Pannwitz (by 1925) ; John Edward Taylor ; [ van Pannwitz collection through Stiebel Ltd. ; sold to MMA ]
See also
Who
Nicola da Urbino (5)
What
Ceramics (29,326)

Pottery (12,856)

Dishes (6,713)

Earthenware (6,693)

Plates (3,606)

Maiolica (548)
Where
Europe (150,013)

Italy (24,981)

Urbania (40)
When
A.D. 1400-1600 (20,619)
In the Museum
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts (43,264)
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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration

Plate (one of a pair)

Style of Nicola da Urbino (Italian, active by 1520–died ?1537/38 Urbino)

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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration

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Plate (one of a pair)

Style of Nicola da Urbino (Italian, active by 1520–died ?1537/38 Urbino)

Met Media

Met Kids

Met Store