The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration

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) 10718 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Demonstration
(00:02:17) 16956 views

Rolltop Desk by David Roentgen: Animation
(00:01:00) 3033 views

Ecce Homo

Date:: late 16th–early 17th century
Culture:: German, Augsburg
Medium:: Silver, silver gilt, rosewood.
Dimensions:: Overall (relief only): H. 7 1/2 x W. 6 5/8 in. (19.1 x 16.8 cm); Framed (confirmed): H. 17 3/8 x W. 11 3/4 x D. 1 1/2 in. (44.1 x 29.8 x 3.8 cm)
Classification:: Metalwork
Credit Line:: Ann and George Blumenthal Fund, 1973
Accession Number:: 1973.286