The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Art Object

The Roentgens' Rolltop Desk

Watch as this desk's hidden features are revealed.

The richly embellished surface of this rolltop desk conceals a wealth of mechanical surprises and features, including a spectacular arrangement of almost forty compartments and drawers. Abraham (1711–1793) and David Roentgen (1743–1807) designed this table not just for writing and reading but also to function as a dressing table, or poudreuse.

This table, from Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens in Washington, D.C., is featured in the exhibition Extravagant Inventions: The Princely Furniture of the Roentgens (on view October 30, 2012–January 27, 2013).

Learn more about this object: http://trio.hillwoodmuseum.org/detail.php?t=objects&type=related&kv=13072

Footage courtesy of Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens.

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

Showcase on stand

Date:: late 17th century
Culture:: Italian, Rome
Medium:: Walnut; carved, painted, and gilded linden wood; mirror glass
Dimensions:: H. 91 x W. 60 x D. 24-1/2 in. (231.1 x 152.4 x 62.2 cm)
Classification:: Woodwork
Credit Line:: Gift of Madame Lilliana Teruzzi, 1972
Accession Number:: 1972.73

This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 508

Description

The supporting figure shows the strong influence of sculpture on Roman Baroque furniture. This object was formerly in the collection of Prince Cesare Ludovico Ottoboni.
Provenance

Prince Cesare Ludovico Ottoboni ; Madame Lilliana Teruzzi (until 1972; to MMA)
See also
What
Glass (16,037)

Gilt (9,043)

Wood (7,651)

Furniture (5,725)

Painting (5,225)

Woodwork (2,582)

Walnut (909)

Mirrors (741)

Stands (656)
Where
Europe (148,586)

Italy (20,983)

Rome (588)
When
A.D. 1600-1800 (66,179)
In the Museum
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts (43,257)
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
Rome and Southern Italy, 1600–1800 A.D.
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