The Metropolitan Museum of Art

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).

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

The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet
(00:02:20) 10632 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration
(00:02:17) 16720 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation
(00:01:00) 3016 views

Snuffbox

Daniel Govaers (or Gouers) (master 1717, active 1736)

Date:: 1732–38
Culture:: French (Paris)
Medium:: Gold, ivory
Dimensions:: 3-5/16 x 2-5/16 x 1 in. (8.4 x 5.9 x 2.5 cm)
Classification:: Metalwork
Credit Line:: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wrightsman, 1976
Accession Number:: 1976.155.11

This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 545

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Signature: Gouers A Paris (engraved on bezel in front)

Inscription: Sticker inside box: Collezione S. Bulgari Roma/Parigi/1723-1738/min: firmata/Gouers

Marking: [1] DG, device a star (incomplete maker's mark) [2] griffin's head (Paris charge mark for gold, 1732-38) [3] indecipherable crowned mark, presumably warden's letter [4] dog's head (Paris discharge mark for small work, 1732-38) [5] crown (unidentified) Location of marks: [1]: inside bottom and front wall [2], [3]: inside front wall [4], [5]: on bezel near hinge at right
Provenance

S. Bulgari
See also
Who
Daniel Govaers ( Gouers) (3)
What
Metal (59,364)

Metalwork (14,716)

Gold (12,457)

Bone (6,328)

Ivory (5,389)

Snuff containers (1,010)

Platinum (915)

Snuffboxes (375)
Where
Europe (148,586)

France (52,276)

Paris (2,025)
When
A.D. 1600-1800 (66,179)
In the Museum
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts (43,257)
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
France, 1600–1800 A.D.
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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration

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Daniel Govaers (or Gouers) (master 1717, active 1736)

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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration

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Daniel Govaers (or Gouers) (master 1717, active 1736)

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