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desk space with lots of storage, and all those pigeon holes and
drawers presented prime opportunities for cabinet makers to strut
hteir stuff and build secret spaces into an already intricate layout of
storage compartments.
When approaching an antique secretary, look first for a central
cabinet. Sometimes flanked by pilasters, this cabinet’s sides could pull
out, or it could be removed entirely to display secret drawers. Cabinet
makers would also create false bottoms, backs, or moveable boards
behind existing drawers – some so thin that only a fingernail or knife
could dislodge them. At times shallow hiding places were all you needed
for a secret document. The space in between the upper and lower
sections of a secretary could masquerade as decorative trim, but hide a
gap perfect for currency, documents, or treasure maps. Springs were
another trick; if pressed in the right place, a hinge would release to
reveal a secret compartment.
Secretaries could also play host to compartments hiding in plain
sight. Don’t discount compartments only accessible from the back, or
cleverly disguised as a collection of old books in the front. Those tricky
volumes may actually be a door to a secret space or even a hidden bar.
Some intricate pieces even had a set of stairs that folded down to allow
the owner to access items hidden in the uppermost parts of
the cabinet. To see an example of a sneaky secretary desk in
person, be sure to check out the Roetgens Berlin Secretary
Cabinet at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Other Furniture
Rolltop desk, ca. 1776-79, was a technical marvel While secretary desks may be the most visually impressive,
created by David Roentgen of Germany. Secret collectors can also find hidden treasures in sideboards,
elements include the resulting surprises from turning the bookcases, or nightstands. Sideboards may hide secret drawers
central key to the right (see detail of keyhole, shown)
when the compartment to the right of the kneehole slides with false backs, originally used for storing valuables like silver
forward. A button underneath can be pressed to release its utensils. Bookcases, chests, or side tables could also hide
front half. This swings aside to reveal two drawer panels, compartments in a false bottom or behind a drawer.
each with four Birmingham Chippendale-style pulls. photo: metmuseum.org When you’re inspecting a piece of antique furniture, examine the
grooves and surfaces of a piece. Is anything loose or does anything
slide when touched? Look for scratch marks on interior surfaces or
him in a search of this kind. The thing is so plain. There is a certain marks that emanate from someplace distinct. Over time, the rubbing of
amount of bulk of space to be accounted for in every cabinet.” If a
drawer looks too shallow for the space it occupies and doesn’t quite
make sense, further investigation might be in order.

The Secretary
The kings of the secret compartment game and the place where you
will most commonly find hidden storage is within the intricate details
of secretary desks. Coming onto the scene in the 18th century,
secretaries were a status symbol and writing desk wrapped into one,
and were ideal for storing valuables. Their fronts opened to reveal a

A Victorian walnut writing slope comes complete with secret drawers.
This box with brass corners opens to reveal additional lids covering two stationary
compartments. The main hinged lid with lock and key, having a brass central
cartouche (vacant), enclosing a slope covered with green leather hand-tooled with
gold border decoration. Three additional compartments include a rocker pen tray, a
glass inkwell, and a cell for stamps. The writing slope conceals two secret drawers Just a few examples of the many hidden and disguised compartments
behind a sprung panel. photo: gilai.com of an 18th century desk. photo: Shannon Mattern on Twitter
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22 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles