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May, 2019 The Antique Shoppe Page 9
the right time. Did he have any clue that it would ever be seen? Did he do
COMMON SENSE this with every piece he built? Who knows but with the discovery of his piece
of paper, the name of a man dead for more than 140 years is spoken again.
ANTIQUES Perhaps that was his goal.
Another technique of concealment is more sinister. It falls in the category
of “Terminal intentional concealment”. This is when someone tries to conceal
By Fred Taylor a space permanently for whatever reasons they consider important at the time.
An example of this type of concealment was found in a circa 1815 Regency
rosewood teapoy. The two flat spaces at the rear of the interior deck at first
HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT glance appeared to be just that, flat spaces. But closer examination revealed
that the white wood used to line the edges of these two spaces did not match
OR MAYBE NOT similar white wood used to line other spaces. Further scrutiny revealed the
patched-up holes where knobs were once attached. Once the liner pieces
were removed the surfaces lifted easily revealing additional finished storage
When you were a kid you probably had a secret hiding place for your space the depth of the case. Why these spaces were concealed is not known
treasures. You know - the things you didn’t want anyone else to but it is obvious that it was done long after the
know you had or the things that you were absolutely forbidden to piece was built and was meant to be a permanent
have. The truth is you probably still have a little dark corner or a alteration.
“secret” drawer where you stash adult treasures. A final technique of concealment is a
And you are no alone. The thirst for privacy has been a variation of others but executed with more
driving human desire since about the time we became human finesse. This is the case with an 18th century
and cabinetmakers have catered to our wishes for secrecy for slant front desk. Here the concealment was in
the last few hundred years. And they have done it in ways less plain sight but is slightly harder to see because
obvious than the challenge of the standard lock and key. The of the many angles and surfaces presented by
fun and excitement come from matching wits with a long-gone the interior of the desk. The decorative arches
cabinetmaker and finding his efforts at camouflaging a secret above each opening in the cubbyhole are
space. delicately done and fit nicely with the overall
Hidden spaces may be no more than the one-inch high design of the piece. But arches are always
cavity between the top and bottom pieces of a mid 19th century suspicious characters, so they must be tested for
bookcase secretary, accessible only from the rear and used to truthfulness.
conceal flat items and documents such as wills, notes and even Sure enough, the arches at each end of the
cash. Or they may be more elaborate ruses aimed to veil small interior were fronting thin drawers suspended
treasures from prying eyes. from the sides of the openings. Once you know
One of the most common ruses falls in they are there they seem to jump out at you but,
the category of “It’s so obvious everybody until you find them, they are well concealed.
knows that one”. That’s the “document Here are some basic guidelines for looking
drawers” masquerading as columns flanking for concealed spaces. Always pull drawers
the center door in the interior of 20th century The fancy valance above completely out of the case and look behind them
Colonial Revival and Depression era drop the cubbyholes of this and under them.
front secretaries. They are handy little 18th century desk After pulling the drawers also examine the
spaces for stashing emergency supplies of conceals small drawers. back of the cabinet seen from the front. Make
stamps and the occasional photograph, but sure you see the same piece of wood behind
they probably are only a secret from the each drawer. If there is a variation in the back
preschoolers in the house. The idea of the The bottom kick plate of panel, there may a hidden space there.
false columns is pretty good except that this circa 1870 chest is Compare the length of drawers from the
virtually EVERY secretary manufactured in actually a hidden drawer. same piece, particularly interior desk drawers. A
the 20th century has them and everybody short drawer may indicate a hidden space behind
knows that. it.
Another technique of concealment is Feel under cabinet top for hidden slides
“hiding in plain sight” or “it’s very obvious - and pockets. Examine them with a flashlight if
once you see it”. This technique was frequently used in 19th century cabinet possible.
construction and should always be looked for in pieces of the period. A Examine the space behind the interior center door in a desk very carefully.
common example is the Victorian period marble top chest or dresser that Many old desks contain false decks, false backs and double sides inside the
looks like a fine three drawer chest. Except that it conceals a lower fourth center space.
drawer in the kick plate or baseboard. This drawer will have no external In general look for any anomaly in the size of drawers, cases, cabinets,
hardware or any other sign of its existence except for the finger pulls located etc. Especially look for unusual thickness of surfaces and be sure to check
on the underside of the front kick plate panel. While it is most commonly out all aspects of a piece where movement (and therefore concealment) is a
found in late 19th century pieces there are numerous examples of Empire possibility.
chests and even Federal era pieces with hidden bottom drawers.
An extreme example of this was found in an 1870 chest that was damaged Send your comments, questions and pictures to me at PO Box 215, Crystal River, FL 34423 or
in moving. Three generations of the family had used the chest, but no one email them to me at info@furnituredetective.com
ever knew of the false bottom until it was damaged. When the piece was Visit Fred’s website www.furnituredetective.com and check out the downloadable “Common
totally disassembled for repair and restoration, the removal of an inside Sense Antiques” columns in .pdf format. His book “HOW TO BE A FURNITURE DETECTIVE” is now
available for $18.95 plus $3.00 shipping. Send check or money order for $21.95 to Fred Taylor, PO
drawer runner revealed a cavity in the wood which contained a fragile piece Box 215, Crystal River, FL 34423
of paper with a name, address and date written in flowing script. This last Fred and Gail Taylor’s DVD, “IDENTIFICATION OF OLDER & ANTIQUE FURNITURE”, ($17.00
little bit of sleight of hand by a cabinetmaker falls in the category of + $3.00 S&H) are also available at the same address. For more information call (800) 387-6377
“You’ll never find this, but I hope you do”. Research of the name through (9AM-4PM Eastern, M-F only), fax 352-563-2916, or e-mail info@furnituredetective.com.
All items are also available directly from the website, www.furnituredetective.com
the U.S. Census turned up a cabinetmaker of that name in the right place at