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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration

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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration

Program information

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).

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) 11562 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration
(00:02:17) 18147 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation
(00:01:00) 3152 views

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Exhibitions:

Events:

Events:

Shaving cup with cover and handle; soap dish (part of a set)

Johann Bernhard Hertz (Hentz)  (master 1834–1855)

Date:
1848–49
Culture:
Russian (St. Petersburg)
Medium:
Silver; c) silver, ivory
Dimensions:
a) H. (w/ cover) 3 7/8 in. (9.8 cm); W. 2 3/4 in. (7cm); L. (w/ handle) 5 1/2 in. (14 cm); L. (w/o handle) 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm) b) 7/16 x 2 13/16 x 3 3/8 in. (1.1 x 7.1 x 8.6 cm) c) 4 1/2 x 5/8 x 1 15/16 in. (11.4 x 1.6 x 4.9 cm) d) 1 3/8 x 2 9/16 x 3 1/4 in. (3.5 x 6.5 x 8.3 cm)
Classification:
Metalwork
Credit Line:
Gift of Ralph McAllister Ingersoll, 1968
Accession Number:
68.33.9 a-d

This artwork is not on display

  • Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

    Inscription: Monogram: a) (on front in center of cartouche) CMI

    Marking: (on bottom of cup [a]): [1] A·T, in rectangular shield. 1848, in rectangular shield joined to above (assay master's mark, Dimitri Ilyich Tverskoi, master 1834-1850) [2] I·B·H, in oval shield (maker's mark, Johann Bernhard Hertz [Hentz], master 1834-1855) [3] 84, in rectangular shield (quality mark) [4] town mark of St. Petersburg, 1818-1861 (inside cover [b]): [1] 84, in rectangular shield (quality mark) [2] I·B·H, in oval shield (maker's mark, Johann Bernhard Hertz [Hentz], master 1834-1855) [3] town mark of St. Petersburg, 1818-1861 (on top exterior of both silver ends of handle [c]): [1] I·B·H, in oval shield (maker's mark, Johann Bernhard Hertz [Hentz], master 1834-1855) (on bottom exterior of soap dish [d]): [1] 84, in rectangular shield (quality mark) [2] I·B·H, in oval shield (maker's mark, Johann Bernhard Hertz [Hentz], master 1834-1855) [3] town mark of St. Petersburg, 1818-1861 (at end of handle on exterior edge): [4] town mark of St. Petersburg, 1818-1861

  • Provenance

    Colin Macrae Ingersoll ; Colin Macrae Ingersoll ; Ralph McAllister Ingersoll (until 1968)

  • See also
    Who
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    In the Museum
    Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
    MetPublications
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