The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Pendant with a pelican in her piety

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.

David Roentgen: Long-Case Clock
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The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet
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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration
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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation
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Pendant with a pelican in her piety

Date:: first quarter 17th century
Culture:: probably Spanish
Medium:: Rock crystal and enameled gold set with a ruby and with pendant pearls
Dimensions:: H. 3-5/16 in. (8.4 cm)
Classification:: Metalwork
Credit Line:: The Jack and Belle Linsky Collection, 1982
Accession Number:: 1982.60.387

This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 540

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The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet

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Pendant with a pelican in her piety

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