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.

Video/Audio (4)

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

The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet
(00:02:20) 11562 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration
(00:02:17) 18147 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation
(00:01:00) 3152 views

Cup with cover

Date:: 1558–59
Culture:: British, London
Medium:: Gilt silver
Dimensions:: H. 14 1/2 in. (36.8 cm.)
Classification:: Metalwork
Credit Line:: Gift of Irwin Untermyer, 1968
Accession Number:: 68.141.298a, b

This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 512

Description

Although this cup was hallmarked in London, it was probably the work of an immigrant German or Flemish goldsmith.
Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Marking: [1] leopard's head (London assay office mark); [2] lion passant (London assay office mark); [3] A in shaped outline (date letter for 1558–59); [4] a symbol (indecipherable maker's mark); Location of marks: [1]-[4] near lip of cup
Provenance

William Randolph Hearst , St. Donat's Castle, Wales (until 1938; his sale of silver, Christie's, December 14, 1938, no. 105); Irwin Untermyer (until 1968; to MMA)
See also
What
Metal (59,483)

Metalwork (14,681)

Silver (14,046)

Gilt (9,077)

Drinking vessels (6,031)

Cups (3,858)

Covered cups (27)
Where
Europe (150,372)

United Kingdom (25,690)

England (6,147)

London (2,016)
When
A.D. 1400-1600 (20,634)
In the Museum
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts (43,228)
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
Great Britain and Ireland, 1400–1600 A.D.
MetPublications
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