The Roentgens’ Rolltop Desk

Watch as this desk’s hidden features are revealed. The richly embellished surface of this rolltop desk conceal a wealth of mechanical surprises and features, including a spectacular arrangement of almost forty compartments and drawers. Abraham (1711--1793) and David Roentgen (1743--1807) designed this table not just for writing and reading but also to function as a dressing table, or poudreuse. This table is from Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens, Washington DC, and is on view at The Metropolitan Museu