Hidden Treasures: Searching for Masterpieces of American Furniture

by Joan Barzilay Freund, Leigh Keno, Leslie Keno

Our Review

There's a heightened drama to watching Antiques Roadshow on television that is akin to watching someone scratch off the last number of a lottery ticket -- the person could be holding something of extreme value or of little consequence. On Antiques Roadshow, experts tell people whether they have a "match" and are in possession of a valuable antique or simply have another run-of-the-mill object.

Leigh and Leslie Keno, the twin-brother experts who appear on Antiques Roadshow, have now written a book chronicling their history of discovering rare antiques -- Hidden Treasures: Searching for Masterpieces of American Furniture.

These brothers have literally spent a lifetime learning about antiques. By the time the boys were 12, they were already dealers and were more than a bit familiar with the world of flea markets, tag sales, and antique shops. Having been raised in a home where they learned that the intrinsic value of an antique lies in its rarity and beauty, the brothers took that knowledge and built a life around what quickly became an obsession.

In Hidden Treasures the Kenos' passion is not explained in a dry, academic lecture; instead, they detail some of the most exciting antiques hunts they've had. Although they are both obviously experts, there are still pieces that experts can question or pass over because years of refinishing and reupholstering have disguised the original design. Sometimes even experts can feel like they're on the other side of the table at Antiques Roadshow. In Hidden Treasures the Kenos face some trials, but their skill and determination always leads them to success.

The brothers, who alternate writing chapters, don't simply want to tell readers about the fun they have -- they want the readers to understand antiques. Hidden Treasures is filled with photographs of the rare and beautiful pieces discussed in the text. Many of the pieces are shown in a series of photographs to explain exactly why those pieces are works of such incredible craftsmanship.

Reading Hidden Treasures will not turn someone into the experts that Leigh and Leslie are. But it does allow for a much greater understanding of the antiques world that they love. They teach readers to appreciate the beauty that can transform an everyday object into a work of art, and in doing so, they teach readers to keep their eyes open to the beauty that people miss every day.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

304 pages, Hardcover

First published October 31, 2000

Reviews

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Grade = 85% - B

I found this at one of my favorite thrift shops in Red Hill, Pa. Once a month they have a "free" book sale - take anything you like, donations accepted.

I have often seen the Keno brothers on the PBS and House and Garden channels. Twins, they each hold jobs at the top of the ladder in the most prestigious auction houses in the world - Christies and Southebys.

They even had their own show, not unlike Cash in the Attic, where they went into homes to look for antiques to go up for auction for special causes.

These fellows were born with the proverbial silver spoons, and even as young teenagers had a collection of museum quality antique clay ceramic ware.

Their stories were interesting, but in my common life, how many 3+ million desks or chairs would I be interested in reading about? 2

[Laurie Stoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

The paper and pictures used in this book are as much a hidden treasure as the book itself.

Hidden Treasures pages are of exceptional quality, the pictures are excellent and the writing is facinating.

I purchased this book to learn a little bit about antiques. I have had this book for several years and put off reading it because I was expecting it to be dry but educational.

I was pleasantly surprised. While the book is quite educational it was also filled with warm ancedotes and memories.

Hidden Treasures was much better than I was expecting.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hearing Leigh Keno speak recently reignited my interest in the Keno brothers and the work that they do. This book was a nice combination of biography and education on historic American furniture. The book is an extension of the idea of Antiques Roadshow- there really are treasures everywhere, you just need to know what to look for. While I enjoyed learning about the legitimate pieces, I really enjoyed learning about how to spot a fake.

[Susan Rhodes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous. Informative, entertaining and inspirational. The Keno brothers are truly special and incredibly artsy. Even if you aren't a collector (like me) you may be able to appreciate their passion and their remarkable relationship, and perhaps develop a deeper appreciation for antique furniture in the process.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book. Part biography, part antique furniture lesson. Written by the Kenno Brothers that are so familiar to Antiques Roadshow fans. Not overly full of personal details but it really is more about their shared passion for antique American furniture. And you will learn about it along the way. It is never boring like some instructional books. What you learn you learn because it is part of the story. It fits in without ever meaning to be a book to teach you about good quality furniture but you learn , almost, accidentally. I highly recommend it if you are a fan or as a starter for if you want to learn more ab out early American antiques and what makes something better quality than anything else.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book at Goodwill and bought it because I’ve always been interested in antiques. This is the story of the Keno twin brothers who are obsessed with antique American furniture and how they got started at the young age of twelve.

[Dorise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly readable book about the Keno brothers’ careers and the artistry of incredibly valuable American furniture

[Anson Cassel Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though the Keno twins are said to have written alternate chapters of this book, their voice is one. Literally from childhood, both have conducted a passionate love affair with antiques, and like any person in love, they want all to know how beautiful is the object of their affections: “Was it my eagerness to see the secretary or the many flights of stairs leading up to the apartment that made my heart beat so rapidly…I arrived at the threshold literally panting in anticipation….I think the owners enjoyed the look of pure wonderment that instantly crossed my face.” (256) And so on throughout the book.

The twins reveal comparatively little biographical information about themselves, and the book is certainly not a guide to furniture collecting. The Kenos’ interest is in the most exceptional examples of late 18th- and early 19th-century American furniture, each worth a million dollars or more. If that’s your interest, then this is the book for you, more than a half dozen masterpieces of craftsmanship carefully delineated in words and in numerous fine photographs.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the Antiques Roadshow twin appraisers, this entertaining and informative book is full of superb color photos of classic American furniture of note, with narrative by two of the most knowledgeable antiquers in the business today. It's an excellent primer for anyone who's even remotely interested in the world of world of high-end collecibles.

[Carol Wolf · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the twin brothers we all know from the Antiques Roadshow (they alternate chapters). Interesting, quick read about chasing down fine furniture. Not quite as engrossing as Harold Sack's "American Treasure Hunt," but more current.

[Autumn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love them on Antiques Roadshow, and love this book. Don't love that great pieces always seem to end up in the hangs of grubby rich white men, but still.

[Rose Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who doesn't love Leigh & Leslie Keno from Antiques Roadshow? This was book was charming and very interesting

[Daniel Hausman · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heroes!

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the writing but more importantly what I learned about antique furniture.