Rolltop desk

ca. 1785–86

Not on view

David Roentgen’s rolltop desks are perhaps the best-known style icons of his oeuvre. This one is likely the “small Cylinder-top writing desk of yellow wood costing 250 rubles, plus 90 [for transport and packing]” listed in an invoice dated March 23, 1786, and delivered to Empress Catherine II. The desk’s distinctive yellow color comes from the veneers of exotic hardwood, called yellowheart, or pau amarello (Euxylophora paraensis). When splashed with sunlight, the wood glows with an almost mystical radiance. The veneers are complemented by finely chased gilt-bronze mounts that may have been supplied by François Rémond from Paris. The top rolls up and disappears into the desk, exposing a central open compartment with two adjustable shelves. It is flanked on either side by a pigeonhole with stepped platforms that conceal spring-operated secret drawers. A leather-lined slide extends the space for writing; below it are three large drawers.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Rolltop desk
Maker: David Roentgen (German, Herrnhaag 1743–1807 Wiesbaden, master 1780)
Date: ca. 1785–86
Culture: German, Neuwied am Rhein
Medium: Oak, veneered with pau amarello (yellowheart) and mahogany; gilt bronze and copper
Dimensions: confirmed: 45 × 40 3/4 × 27 5/16 in. (114.3 × 103.5 × 69.4 cm)
Classification: Woodwork-Furniture
Credit Line: Gift of the Estate of Ruth S. Stanton, in honor of Oliver Stanton, 2018
Object Number: 2018.288.1
Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

By David Roentgen

From the same time and place

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Commode à vantaux, David Roentgen German, Oak, pine, walnut, mahogany, and cherry veneered with hornbeam (partially stained), tulipwood, walnut, holly and maple (both partially stained), boxwood, mahogany, and other woods; red brocatelle marble; gilt bronze; iron, steel, and brass, German, Neuwied am Rhein — Commode à vantaux
Multiple artists/makers
ca. 1775–79 with later alterations

Oval table, David Roentgen German, Oak, walnut, pine, cherry, and maple, veneered with maple, hornbeam, holly (all partially stained), cherry, mahogany, tulipwood, and other woods; gilt bronze, iron, brass, steel; partially tooled and gilded leather, German, Neuwied am Rhein — Oval table
David Roentgen
ca. 1774–80

Game table, David Roentgen German, Oak and walnut, veneered with mahogany, maple, holly (the last two partially stained); iron, steel, brass, gilt bronze; felt and partially tooled and gilded leather, German, Neuwied am Rhine — Game table
David Roentgen
ca. 1780–83

Writing table, David Roentgen German, Mahogany, gilt bronze, German, Neuwied am Rhein — Writing table
David Roentgen
ca. 1790

Dressing table, David Roentgen German, Harewood and marquetry woods, German, Neuwied am Rhein — Dressing table
David Roentgen
ca. 1775

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