Search the collections

Videos (3)
The Roentgens' Dressing Table (Poudreuse)

Close

<p>Please enable flash to view this media. <a href="http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/">Download the flash player.</a></p>

Please enable flash to view this media. Download the flash player.

Art Object
Program Information

The Roentgens' Dressing Table (Poudreuse)

Program information

See how this desk converts into a dressing table.

When closed, this table may not seem like one of the most complex pieces of European furniture ever made. However, once opened, its concealed drawers and hidden features are exposed, and the entire piece transforms into a dressing table, orpoudreuse. Scholars believe it was commissioned as a wedding gift from Abraham (1711–1793) and David Roentgen (1743–1807) by Friedrich August III, Elector of Saxony, to his bride in 1769.

This table, from Museum für Angewandte Kunst, Frankfurt, is featured in the exhibition Extravagant Inventions: The Princely Furniture of the Roentgens (on view October 30, 2012–January 27, 2013).

Images courtesy of Museum für Angewandte Kunst, Frankfurt.

David Roentgen: Long-Case Clock

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

The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet

The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet
(00:02:20) 10583 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration
(00:02:17) 16547 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation
(00:01:00) 3012 views

Related Content

The Morning Coffee

The Morning Coffee

Cynthio

Cynthio

Woman making butter

Woman making butter

Woman playing a hurdy-gurdy

Woman playing a hurdy-gurdy

Scaramouche

Scaramouche

Browse current and upcoming exhibitions and events.

Exhibitions:

Events:

Events:

Asian

Höchst Manufactory 

Date:
ca. 1750–55
Culture:
German (Höchst)
Medium:
Hard-paste porcelain
Dimensions:
H. 6-3/8 in. (16.2 cm.)
Classification:
Ceramics
Credit Line:
The Jack and Belle Linsky Collection, 1982
Accession Number:
1982.60.242

This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 538

120023260

Close