The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Art Object

The Roentgens' Rolltop Desk

Watch as this desk's hidden features are revealed.

The richly embellished surface of this rolltop desk conceals a wealth of mechanical surprises and features, including a spectacular arrangement of almost forty compartments and drawers. Abraham (1711–1793) and David Roentgen (1743–1807) designed this table not just for writing and reading but also to function as a dressing table, or poudreuse.

This table, from Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens in Washington, D.C., is featured in the exhibition Extravagant Inventions: The Princely Furniture of the Roentgens (on view October 30, 2012–January 27, 2013).

Learn more about this object: http://trio.hillwoodmuseum.org/detail.php?t=objects&type=related&kv=13072

Footage courtesy of Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens.

Video/Audio (4)

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

Tile

Minton(s) (1793–present)

Designer:: Christopher Dresser (British, Glasgow, Scotland 1834–1904 Mulhouse)
Date:: ca. 1875
Culture:: British, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
Medium:: Earthenware
Dimensions:: 8 x 8 in. (20.3 x 20.3 cm)
Classification:: Ceramics
Credit Line:: Gift of Robert L. Isaacson, 1991
Accession Number:: 1991.110.2

This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 556

WHAT IS MYMET?

The Roentgens' Rolltop Desk

Tile

Minton(s) (1793–present)

Met Media

Met Kids

Met Store

WHAT IS MYMET?

Already have a mymet account? Sign in

The Roentgens' Rolltop Desk

Related Content

Tile

Minton(s) (1793–present)

Met Media

Met Kids

Met Store