Customer Reviews

Hidden Treasures: Searching for Masterpieces of American Furniture

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"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.

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 show's production.

The unexpected treasure, however, is revealed in the early pages of the book where the authors allow a glimpse into their own childhood and early love for antiques. Photographs of pages from their shared pre-teen/teen diary document not only their progress to becoming antique dealers but serves as an eerie forecast of the future. The effect is simply charming, yet powerful.

That the Kenos are able to recapture those moments of magic found in a child's world of discovery becomes at once a gift of retrospection, introspection, and revelation particularly for anyone in the throes of parenthood. It's not an unfamiliar battle deciding whether to invest in a child's latest interest-Is it a fleeting (sometimes-expensive) fancy or a potential lifelong passion? Whatever and however we respond, this is in fact a calling of parents in life: to either fan or extinguish the burgeoning flame of an interest in our children. It is this subtle component of the Kenos' book that is surprisingly the most compelling. Although possibly written to inspire a trip to the basement or attic, wonderfully, Hidden Treasures has the charm and power to lure readers down another path that may lead to gold if they are able to recognize what truly glitters.

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!

Like many, I've become and avid fan of the PBS show, Antiques Roadshow. And I've always enjoyed whenever Leigh or Leslie Keno give their evaluations. They both seem to really enjoy what they do and they are quite knowledgeable. So it was with anticipation that I picked up this book.

I'm happy to say I was not disappointed. Leigh and Leslie Keno have wanted to be antique dealers since they were both 12. They interweave their story of growing up in upstate New York along with stories of furniture masterpieces they've uncovered during their careers. At times the stories are almost like detective stories as they chronicle finding "treasures" in out-of-the-way places. Such as a magnificent Newport-school secretary found in a Parisian west-bank apartment. They then take us behind the scenes at Christies, Sothbys, and the prestiguous New York Winter Antiques Show to show how these mega-million dollar pieces are sold to serious collectors. There is also a fine story about how one woman found a table at a yard-sale for $25.00. After bringing it to the Antiques Roadshow where the brothers appraised it she eventually sold it through Sothbys for half a million dollars.

Though I'm not really an antiques collector I really enjoyed reading this book. It's written in a breezy style and the photographs are outstanding. I highly recommend this book.

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.

How many of us can say that we knew at age 12 what we wanted to be and then accomplished our goal? Leigh and Leslie Keno can. This treasure of a book is as much a story of their journey from a small upstate New York town and country antique shows to the glamour of New York City and Sotheby's, as it is about "masterpieces in American furniture.". The twins - already celebrities from PBS' Antiques Roadshow - have penned a fascinating book that will appeal to antiques experts and those, like myself who have only a passing knowledge of the subject. In the interest of full disclosure, I should point out that I am originally from the village next to the Keno's home town and that their father - mentioned frequently in the book - was my highschool art teacher. It was an added pleasure reading of their references to their family and New York's Mohawk Valley. It is clear that Leigh and Leslie have never lost that boyish enthusiasm they developed hunting for hidden treasures in the farmland that surrounded their home. That enthusiasm permeates the book. I cannot close this review without commenting on the beauty of the book itself. From its attractively designed slipcover, to its high quality paper stock and rich photography this book is a pleasure to display as well as read.

I couldn't put it down and I want to know when the sequel will be available! Beautifully photographed and intriquingly written, the Keno's book brings us a peek into their passionate world of early Americana aquisition and sales. It evokes much respect for their expertise.

If you are familiar with Leigh Keno and Leslie Keno, the charming, identical twin brothers who often appear as appraisers on the popular "Antiques Roadshow" television program, then you will undoubtedly enjoy this audio book.

While authors do not generally make good readers or narrators of their own works, the Keno twins are the exception to the rule. Just as they do on the "Antiques Roadshow", the twins convey their unbridled enthusiasm for antique American furniture. Their passion is contagious and makes one a truly captive audience. I had purchased this audio book for a road trip and could barely tear myself away from the car until I had finished the audio book in its entirety, as it is so interesting and entertaining.

Born in rural, Mohawk Valley in upstate New York, the twins developed their passion at the feet of their parents who had dabbled in this field. At a very young age, searching for old objects with a history was a hobby that developed into a passion. As teenagers, flea markets were their stomping grounds. As they grew up, they developed by inclination and education into worldly and sophisticated connoisseurs of beautiful rare objects, specializing in antique American furniture, a niche in which they are now foremost experts.

The audio book takes you on the hunt of some of their most prized acquisitions. With an insider's look at the wonderful world of collecting antique American furniture, the twins take the listener on a journey that few would otherwise be able make, as many of their most prized acquisitions bring in six and seven figure sums. The excitement of the hunt, the thrill of the discovery of a valuable piece of antique American furniture, the history of its provenance, and the loving description of the beauty of that piece, all provide a fascinating peek into the rarified world of antiques in which the twins work.

The tone of the book is conversationally chatty and educational. The twins have a wonderful, innate ability to draw the listener into their exclusive world. Their down to earth charm is a delicious counterpoint to the exquisite and rare pieces that they have come across, all of which they share with the listener in detail, lovingly describing the craftsmanship that went into making these beautiful pieces that are so collectible today. This audio book comes with a full color pamphlet that pictorially details the pieces that are the focus of this abridged audio book and serves to enhance this most enjoyable listening experience.

Famous for their exuberant furniture appraisals on The Antiques Road Show, Leslie and Leigh Keno reveal to us a genetic anomaly that compels them to hunt, chase, and sell the best of the best of American-made furniture.

Starting in abandoned cellar holes as young boys and bringing us to more current dealings in NYC, Leslie and Leigh share their joy of dense mahogany, fluidly carved arms, inlaid husks, open talons and hairy paws. Using a handful of finely crafted examples, they explain who made it, who commissioned it, who's owned it, when it was made, how it was made, why it was done like that, why the piece is superior, and how they know it's authentic. The gilding, the carving, the panels, the feet, the keyholes, the lopers -- they appreciate everything and explain it all to you. There's nothing they don't convey to you in layman's terms. By scrutinizing the detailed photographs you can feel the grain of the wood as palpably as you feel their awe of these amazing objects. (My favorite caption is the one in which Leslie simply puts: "The desk that took my breath away.")

Their exuberance is so infectious that now I feel compelled to take with me on my next visit to the Museum of Fine Arts a pair of binoculars so I can more closely enjoy the craftsmanship of their early American furniture. And if you're familiar with the Keno brothers, you wouldn't expect anything less.