Hidden Treasures: Searching for Masterpieces of American Furniture

I've enjoyed the Antiques Roadshow for a number of years, and have been intrigued by the various people who are specialists in the different fields of antiques. How did they learn their subjects? What education did they pursue? Those were a few of the questions that were of interest to me. The twins, Leslie and Leigh Keno are an attractive addition to the Roadshow. I especially like the fact that they are always polite and kind to the people who bring in the antique items for evaluation. The Keno brothers never appear to be condescending to the visitors, and their enthusiasm about the antiques is catchy. Well, HIDDEN TREASURES was a pleasure to read. In this autobiographic form, Leigh and Leslie tell about growing up in New York and how they became interested in learning about objects that they found around the old family farm and how that interest turned into a love of American antiques. They also relate some interesting stories about their experiences in discovering, and being involved in the identification of some rare and unique pieces of furniture. They both write well, and I found the book to be very entertaining.You don't have to be an antiques expert to enjoy this book.

It isn't often that one describes a book like Hidden Treasures as a "can't put down" type of tome, but that accurately describes the sense one gets while reading this account of how two talented men, twin brothers Leigh Keno and Leslie Keno, achieved their successes in the world of antiques and collectibles. Each twin contributes his own sense of style to an easy-to-read narrative of their humble beginnings, touching on assorted "finds" and friendships that contributed to their present day status as respected authorities in the world of antiques. From the beginning chapter by Leslie Keno, describing events which will lead to the auction sale of a wonderful and extremely rare Townsend secretary, through accounts of assorted searches, penned by Leslie and brother Leigh, to the final chapter, which describes the secretary's fate at auction, the Brothers Keno take us all over America and parts of Europe in their searches for hidden treasures. It doesn't take an antique collector to appreciate good writing and a fascinating subject, especially when it includes a fair number of beautiful photos. Hidden Treasures, by Leigh Keno and Leslie Keno, with Joan Barzilay Freund, is destined to become a favorite page-turner.

OK, I admit it. I was excited to buy this book because I have a raving crush on the very attractive and intelligent Keno twins from Antiques Roadshow (Leslie is my favorite). This is a great source of teasing from my husband. But, you know what? This book is fabulous! I had no real interest in antique American furniture, but I got sucked into the excitement of the discovery and disposition of the treasures...and I learned a lot about American history and the auction industry to boot! This book reads as snappily as a fiction adventure novel but teaches like a college class. Great combination! Also, as a homeschooling parent, I was very touched by the story of Leslie and Leigh's childhood and how their parents encouraged them to follow their passion. Reading about how critical their childhood and teen years were to how these men have reached the heights of their field is a strong lesson to parents about respecting your child's originality and spirit. I would love to shake the hands of the Keno parents. I was warmly pleased to find a hidden parenting lesson...Thanks to "Hidden Treasures", I will now pay much closer attention to things I see in museums. The Keno brothers have taught me to have a greater appreciation for the artistry of furniture.The bottom line: even if you think this book is about something you have no interest in (antique American furniture), browse through it anyway...read a chapter or two and see if you don't get hooked! There's more to this book than inlaid woods and ball and claw feet!

In deliberately alternating voices, twins emerge as two clear and distinct identities as they share their passion, enthusiasm, and expertise in early American furniture: Leslie Keno, the Senior Specialist and Director of Business Development for Americana at Sotheby's, New York, and Leigh Keno, the more sensual and sanguine, independent dealer who owns and operates Leigh Keno American Antiques in New York City. Those who pick up this book and are familiar with the Kenos by way of being "Roadshow groupies" will no doubt receive a satisfying fix. However, be prepared as the brothers turn it up a notch and go well beyond the scope of the celebrity status afforded by their regular participation in the PBS series. Through the writing of Hidden Treasures, the authors have selected an adequate medium which displays and secures for the general public their highly regarded reputation in this esoteric field. Clearly that reputation has already been well established in the world of antique collecting. The amusing anecdotes present chronologically, allowing readers to document and measure the area under the authors' personal and professional learning curve that eventually adds up to their deserved position in the field as scholars and experts. So, too, are the pages lush with historical and technical information, beautifully supported by photographs in color and black and white, that this contribution (however commercially publicized and marketed) becomes a serious and useful reference for those readers with a casual interest in Americana as well as those with a more active bent. Particularly fascinating are the descriptions of what may well be routine, yet painstaking, labor intensive processes to dissect and determine the history and authenticity of the furniture before them. The Kenos are eloquent, yet unashamedly enthusiastic with each piece they appraise; their approach to each table, each armchair, each highboy is with surgical precision, yet youthful excitement.If there is a disturbing development revealed in Hidden Treasures, it is the definite and deepening divide between the haves and the have-nots. Indeed, the situation teeters on the ridiculous and surreal when the authors relive the moment a polo-playing businessman plunks down over half a million dollars for a card table, in part because his supermodel wife shares the same last name with the Boston cabinetmakers responsible for creating the piece. Still, perhaps because that gap is so profoundly etched, we can stand behind our soul brothers and sisters in their ability to appreciate beauty and preserve a heritage manifested in craftsmanship (as long as they don't begrudge us the joy of a recent home furnishings purchase from Target). Unfortunate, too, is the behind-the-scenes look at Antiques Roadshow itself. It is not so much that the onscreen results and reactions are not spontaneous, for they are. The disappointment lies more in the amount of manipulation that occurs with each s

"Hidden Treasures" is a friend for anyone whose pulse has ever reacted to the sight of a grand piece of antique furniture. For those who have ever become breathless or teary-eyed over fruniture, it should be required reading. The most appreciated surprise of "Hidden Treasures" is how generous the Kenos are with their knowledge -- reading this book is almost like being enrolled in an advanced course in American furniture complete with field trips and historic background. There's even a textbook like glossary for quick reference to terms.The world of the Keno brothers is one of extreme privilege and yet, as we travel from their modest and nurturing childhood to the decisive playgrounds of the wealthy -- Sotheby's, Christie's, and the Winter Antiques Show -- we feel welcome, if not at home. That is, perhaps, the most endearing charm of these identical gentlemen -- they are seemly unaffected by their palacial world -- driven primarily by their passion for historic masterpieces of American furniture and a childlike enthusiasm for the hunt. The honesty and power of their passion ignites every page of their book as it does everyday of their lives. And, it is so infectious that many will be inspired to begin plotting their first five, six, seven, or eight-figure purchase of Americana.My only slight disappointment was with some of the writing. The masterful talent of Thatcher Freund, author of "Objects of Desire" could have been put to good use on this project. I only wish he would have been part of the team. Then, the book would have been perfect -- an American Masterpiece.