The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Perseus and Andromeda

Art Object

Unfolding an Eighteenth-Century Gaming Table

This finely crafted piece of furniture has a secret. Swing out a leg, adjust an arm, and voilà! Leaves unfold to reveal multiple configurations: a felt surface for card games, a game board for chess or checkers, a desk with a leather writing surface and book rest. Tug at a hidden latch, and a spring-driven backgammon board pops up.

The brainchild of German cabinetmaker David Roentgen (1743–1807), this sophisticated gaming table once graced the intimate interior of an aristocratic European home. The exquisite piece was not only convenient for entertaining guests, but it was also portable—its legs unscrew so it can easily be packed and moved.

This 3-D animation of the table demonstrates its different configurations and illuminates its concealed features, including drawers for tucking away personal items and compartments for storing game pieces.

See Collections to learn more about this table.

This table 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) 10549 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration
(00:02:17) 16461 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation
(00:01:00) 3008 views

Perseus and Andromeda

"In Castel Durante" Painter (Italian, active Castel Durante, first half of 16th century)

Date:: ca. 1525
Culture:: Italian, Castel Durante
Medium:: Maiolica (tin-enameled earthenware)
Dimensions:: H. 1-5/8 in. (4.1 cm), Diam. 9-1/2 in. (24.1 cm)
Classification:: Ceramics
Credit Line:: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, by exchange, 1965
Accession Number:: 65.6.9

This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 503

Description

The scene in the center may represent Perseus cleansing himself of the blood of the Gorgon Medusa.
Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Inscription: Incised into glaze on underside: 4 47

Marking: Written in ink on underside: 85 Stickers on underside: 1) C 1950 2) 85.
Provenance

Sir Andrew Fountaine (until 1884; sale, Andrew Fountaine collection, June 16, 1884, no. 328); Octavius E. Coope (until 1910; sale, Christie, Manson & Woods, London, May 3, 1910 , no. 22); Walter von Pannwitz (by 1925) ; [ his collection through Stiebel Ltd. , sold to MMA ]
See also
Who
"In Castel Durante" Painter (3)
What
Ceramics (29,320)

Pottery (12,856)

Dishes (6,707)

Earthenware (6,696)

Plates (3,598)

Maiolica (565)
Where
Europe (148,586)

Italy (20,983)

Urbania (40)
When
A.D. 1400-1600 (20,545)
In the Museum
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts (43,257)
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Unfolding an Eighteenth-Century Gaming Table

Perseus and Andromeda

"In Castel Durante" Painter (Italian, active Castel Durante, first half of 16th century)

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Unfolding an Eighteenth-Century Gaming Table

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Perseus and Andromeda

"In Castel Durante" Painter (Italian, active Castel Durante, first half of 16th century)

Met Media

Met Kids

Met Store