The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Art Object

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation

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) 10679 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration
(00:02:17) 16910 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation
(00:01:00) 3027 views

Work table

Martin Carlin (French, near Freiburg im Breisgau ca. 1730–1785 Paris)

Factory:: Porcelain plaques by Sèvres Manufactory (French, 1740–present)
Date:: ca. 1772
Culture:: French
Medium:: Oak veneered with tulipwood, ebony, holly; soft-paste porcelain; gilt bronze
Dimensions:: H. 27-1/4 in. (69.2 cm); Diam. of top 14-1/2 in. (36.8 cm)
Classification:: Woodwork
Credit Line:: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wrightsman, 1976
Accession Number:: 1976.155.104

This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 527

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Signature: M. CARLIN J.M.E. (stamped beneath top)

Inscription: Beneath table top on stick-on label written in ink: Cte de Flahault.

Marking: The three curved Sèvres soft-paste porcelain plaques bear the date letter for 1771.
Provenance

Comtesse de Flahaut ; by descent from the Comtesse de Flahaut, Eighth Marquess of Lansdowne
See also
Who
Sèvres Manufactory (695)

Martin Carlin (20)
What
Metal (59,364)

Clay (23,649)

Copper alloy (16,630)

Faience (11,698)

Bronze (11,628)

Porcelain (11,369)

Gilt (9,043)

Wood (7,651)

Furniture (5,725)

Plate (2,675)

Woodwork (2,582)

Soft paste porcelain (2,017)

Ormolu (1,683)

Oak (1,089)

Tables (974)

Ebony (362)

Tulipwood (143)

Holly (62)

Work tables (23)
Where
Europe (148,586)

France (52,276)
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: Animation

Work table

Martin Carlin (French, near Freiburg im Breisgau ca. 1730–1785 Paris)

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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation

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Work table

Martin Carlin (French, near Freiburg im Breisgau ca. 1730–1785 Paris)

Met Media

Met Kids

Met Store