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) 10523 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration
(00:02:17) 16384 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation
(00:01:00) 3001 views

Length

Manufactured by Thomas Wardle & Co.

Purveyor:: Liberty & Co. (British, founded London, 1875)
Date:: ca. 1890
Culture:: British
Medium:: Silk
Dimensions:: L. 81 1/4 x W. 35 1/4 inches 203 x 88 cm
Classification:: Textiles
Credit Line:: Purchase, Friends of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts Gifts, 2000
Accession Number:: 2000.47

This artwork is not on display

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The Roentgens' Rolltop Desk

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Length

Manufactured by Thomas Wardle & Co.

Met Media

Met Kids

Met Store