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).

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Watchmaker: H. Maret

Date:: ca. 1855–65
Culture:: Swiss (Geneva)
Medium:: Case of enameled gold; dial of painted enamel; movement of gilded brass and steel, partly blued
Dimensions:: H. 2-3/4" (7 cm.); Diam. 1-15/16" (4.9 cm.); D. 9/16" (1.4 cm.)
Classification:: Horology
Credit Line:: Bequest of Vladimir M. Eitingon, in memory of his parents, Michail and Betty Eitingon, 1982
Accession Number:: 1983.183.1

This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 554

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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration

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Watchmaker: H. Maret

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