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Tilt-top table

Workshop of David Roentgen German
ca. 1785–90
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 553
The circular top of this small table, or gueridon, has a pierced wood gallery with brass banding. It is supported by a fluted block above a pillar in the form of a stylized Ionic column with brass moldings. The top can be both turned horizontally and tipped up, and gilt-brass casters under the feet make the whole piece easy to move. The gallery is not only decorative, but it would also have prevented objects from sliding off the edge. The revolving top made it possible for a host to serve tea to a small company of guests in privacy, without the presence of servants. All the elements of this table, but especially the pierced gallery, which is not executed in gilded metal in the French manner but skillfully crafted from wood, distinguish it from every other contemporary table invention.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Tilt-top table
  • Maker: Workshop of David Roentgen (German, Herrnhaag 1743–1807 Wiesbaden, master 1780)
  • Date: ca. 1785–90
  • Culture: German, Neuwied am Rhein
  • Medium: Mahogany; gilt bronze and brass
  • Dimensions: confirmed (diameter of table): 29 in. × 23 1/16 in. (73.7 × 58.5 cm)
    Diameter (confirmed, diameter at foot): 22 1/4 in. (56.5 cm)
  • Classification: Woodwork-Furniture
  • Credit Line: Gift of the Estate of Ruth S. Stanton, in honor of Alexandra Stanton, 2018
  • Object Number: 2018.288.2
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

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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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