The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Christ the Redeemer

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).

Video/Audio (4)

David Roentgen: Long-Case Clock
(00:00:52)

The Roentgens' Berlin Secretary Cabinet
(00:02:20) 11562 views

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

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

Christ the Redeemer

Antonio Novelli (Italian, Pisa 1600–1662 Florence)

Date:: ca. 1650
Culture:: Italian, Florence
Medium:: Carrara marble
Dimensions:: Overall: 36 1/8 x 34 x 18 in., 800lb. (91.8 x 86.4 x 45.7 cm, 362.8776kg)
Classification:: Sculpture
Credit Line:: Purchase, Assunta Sommella Peluso, Ignazio Peluso, Ada Peluso and Romano I. Peluso Gift, 2011
Accession Number:: 2011.596

This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 550

Description

The bust was probably originally placed high in a niche. Its provenance is from the Villa Camerata outside Florence, which had earlier belonged to the Verrazzano, Albizi and Pucci families.
Provenance

[ Kristin Gary Fine Art , sold to MMA ]
See also
Who
Antonio Novelli (1)
What
Sculpture (24,342)

Figures (5,015)

Marble (2,133)

Busts (558)

Carrara marble (33)
Where
Europe (150,372)

Italy (24,960)

Tuscany (1,191)

Florence (512)
When
A.D. 1600-1800 (67,128)
In the Museum
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts (43,228)
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
Florence and Central Italy, 1600–1800 A.D.

WHAT IS MYMET?

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation

Christ the Redeemer

Antonio Novelli (Italian, Pisa 1600–1662 Florence)

Met Media

Met Kids

Met Store

WHAT IS MYMET?

Already have a mymet account? Sign in

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation

Related Content

Christ the Redeemer

Antonio Novelli (Italian, Pisa 1600–1662 Florence)

Met Media

Met Kids

Met Store