The Metropolitan Museum of Art

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) 11524 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration
(00:02:17) 18103 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation
(00:01:00) 3147 views

Censer

Benjamin Pyne (active 1693–1727)

Date:: 1708–9
Culture:: British, London
Medium:: Silver
Dimensions:: H. (censer) 8 7/8 in. (22.5 cm); L. (boat) 4 in. (10.2 cm); L. (spoon) 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm)
Classification:: Metalwork
Credit Line:: Gift of Irwin Untermyer, 1968
Accession Number:: 68.141.259a, b

This artwork is not on display

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Marking: [1] Britannia; [2] Lion's head erased; [3] Gothic n, London letter for 1708-09; [4] PY, rose or cinquefoil above, crowned, in shaped punch (maker's mark for Benjamin Pyne); [5] DV, rayed sun above Location of marks: [1]-[4] on censer (bowl only) and insence boat, on underside [5] on back of spoon handle
Provenance

Lord Clifford of Chudleigh (until 1966; sale, Christie's, June 15, 1966, no. 81) ; [ S. J. Phillips (in 1966; to Irwin Untermyer, August 5, 1966) ] ; Irwin Untermyer (1966–68; to MMA)
See also
Who
Benjamin Pyne (5)
What
Metal (59,497)

Metalwork (14,681)

Silver (14,047)

Censers (107)
Where
Europe (150,419)

United Kingdom (25,683)

England (9,112)

London (2,006)
When
A.D. 1600-1800 (67,116)
In the Museum
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts (43,228)
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
Great Britain and Ireland, 1600–1800 A.D.
MetPublications
Search for related Met publications

WHAT IS MYMET?

The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet

Censer

Benjamin Pyne (active 1693–1727)

Met Media

Met Kids

Met Store

WHAT IS MYMET?

Already have a mymet account? Sign in

The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet

Related Content

Censer

Benjamin Pyne (active 1693–1727)

Met Media

Met Kids

Met Store