The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Dish (one of a pair) (part of a set)

Art Object

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation

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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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration
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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation
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Dish (one of a pair) (part of a set)

Lewis Mettayer (British, active 1700, died 1740)

Date:: 1714/15
Culture:: British, London
Medium:: Silver gilt
Dimensions:: Overall (confirmed): 2 1/8 x 8 5/8 x 8 5/8 in., 17 oz. 13 dwt. (5.4 x 21.9 x 21.9 cm, 549g)
Classification:: Metalwork
Credit Line:: Gift of Irwin Untermyer, 1968
Accession Number:: 68.141.290

This artwork is not on display

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Marking: [1] ME, maker's mark for Lewis Mettayer (Grimwade 2018) [2] Britannia; [3] Lion's head erased; [4] London date letter for 1714 Location of marks: [1]-[4] on underside
Provenance

Methuen family (until 1920; their sale, Christie's, London, February 25, 1920, lot 77); [ S. J. Phillips ; sold to Untermyer, March 28, 1967 ] ; Irwin Untermyer (1967–68; to MMA)
See also
Who
Lewis Mettayer (11)
What
Metal (59,364)

Metalwork (14,716)

Silver (14,056)

Gilt (9,043)

Dishes (6,707)
Where
Europe (148,586)

United Kingdom (25,557)

England (9,102)

London (2,006)
When
A.D. 1600-1800 (66,179)
In the Museum
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts (43,257)
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
English Silver, 1600–1800

Great Britain and Ireland, 1600–1800 A.D.

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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation

Dish (one of a pair) (part of a set)

Lewis Mettayer (British, active 1700, died 1740)

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Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation

Related Content

Dish (one of a pair) (part of a set)

Lewis Mettayer (British, active 1700, died 1740)

Met Media

Met Kids

Met Store