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Course: The Metropolitan Museum of Art > Unit 1

Lesson 14: Extravagant Inventions

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Unfolding an 18th-century Game Table

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Elegant furniture incorporating intriguing mechanical devices was a trademark of the Roentgen workshop, which from 1768 until about 1793 was one of Europe's most successful cabinetmaking enterprises. The distinguished design and the innovative way prefabricated elements such as the detachable legs were assembled make this table an example par excellence of David Roentgen's ingenious creations. His objects are an amalgamation of superior technical skills, sophisticated looks, high quality materials, and multiple functions. Roentgen's patrons sought adaptable furnishings that could perform manifold tasks. This piece is a console, a desk for writing and reading, and a game table for cards and chess with a concealed spring-driven backgammon box. Yet when closed it took up only a small amount of space in the intimate interiors popular during the Age of Enlightenment. A set of eighteenth-century game pieces - twenty-nine stamped wooden medallions illustrating European monarchs and historical views—are associated with the table.

View this work on metmuseum.org.

. Created by The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

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Ashley Liang
Posted 9 years ago. Direct link to Ashley Liang's post “who built the game table?”
who built the game table?
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♫♥Morgan►Heather♥♫
Posted 9 years ago. Direct link to ♫♥Morgan►Heather♥♫'s post “How much would something ...”
How much would something like that cost?
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Eszter Mátyás
Posted 9 years ago. Direct link to Eszter Mátyás's post “How much actual weight do...”
How much actual weight does the 'easy to move' means? Like 5 kgs?
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Max_Smax
Posted 8 years ago. Direct link to Max_Smax's post “Is this the ultimate game...”
Is this the ultimate game table or what?
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keishacan
Posted 3 years ago. Direct link to keishacan's post “That's actually cool and ...”
That's actually cool and pretty convenient especially for countries with little room space or a game for boarding schools if allowed.
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ZZMAE
Posted 3 years ago. Direct link to ZZMAE's post “i think david roentgen bu...”
i think david roentgen build the table
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Sabrina O
Posted 5 years ago. Direct link to Sabrina O's post “David Roentgen was a geni...”
David Roentgen was a genius! I love his work. This game table was amazing.
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ymancarbon
Posted 8 years ago. Direct link to ymancarbon's post “How much does this thing ...”
How much does this thing cost ?
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Video transcript

David Roentgen designed this gaming table to suit the intimate interiors of late eighteenth-century aristocratic Europe. The table's small size and multiple configurations made it enormously convenient for entertaining guests. A rear leg swings out to support the table as its leaves are unfolded. A hidden drawer allows playing cards or personal items to be stored. An adjustable arm supports the unfolding leaves, providing a level plane for each configuration. Opening the first set of leaves reveals a felt surface for card games. The second configuration features a game board for chess or checkers. Another leaf transforms the table into a desk with a leather writing surface. This configuration also offers the option of a book rest. A hidden latch releases a spring-driven backgammon board to the top of the writing surface. Game pieces can be stored in compartments with sliding lids. The table is easily folded back to its original, small size. The legs can be unscrewed, making the table easy to pack and move. David Roentgen's sophisticated, portable designs enabled people to travel with luxury and refinement.