The Metropolitan Museum of Art

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
(00:00:52)

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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Dish

Haviland & Co. (American and French, 1864–1931)

Modeler:: Edouard-Alexandre Dammouse (1850–1903)
Date:: ca. 1886
Culture:: French (Limoges)
Medium:: Hard-paste porcelain
Dimensions:: L. 7 in. (17.8 cm.)
Classification:: Ceramics
Credit Line:: Gift of Mrs. Alice Stern, 1991
Accession Number:: 1991.166.7

This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 556

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Inscription: (85)/5825/coquille éventail. 3 f oo (written in red on bottom)

Marking: [1] HAVILAND & Cº. LIMOGES (printed in gold in circle, on bottom; factory mark, 1879-89) [2] H&Cº. ; L below (printed in dark green, on bottom; factory mark, 1876-88)
Provenance

Mrs. Alice Stern (until 1991; to MMA)
See also
Who
Haviland & Co. (29)

Edouard-Alexandre Dammouse (2)
What
Ceramics (29,320)

Clay (23,649)

Faience (11,698)

Porcelain (11,369)

Dishes (6,707)

Hard paste porcelain (2,917)
Where
Europe (148,586)

France (52,276)

Limousin (306)

Limoges (290)
When
A.D. 1800-1900 (80,185)
In the Museum
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts (43,257)
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
France, 1800–1900 A.D.

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The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet

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Dish

Haviland & Co. (American and French, 1864–1931)

Met Media

Met Kids

Met Store