I have a question on haunted furniture... Can furniture really be haunted? I am about to purchase an antique desk (1896)and the owner claims it is haunted and I will inherit the spirit that lives in the desk. She said there is a lot of banging (aggressive) coming from the desk at night and day. She said it is very loud at times and sometimes soft. I wasn't sure what to think until I looked at a photo of the desk and noticed what could be an orb on the desk.
Unfortunately, I am unable to post the photo however if anyone is interested in looking at it just reply with your email and I will send it to you... Maybe you can help me figure it out if it is indeed an orb or a glare... Thanks!

Is this by any chance an ebay item? I'm always a little skeptical about things that are advertised as haunted. I think people who are a little less than ethical know that someone will buy it out of curiousity. This may not be the case, but it is something to keep in mind.

Furniture can definitely be haunted! However, keep in mind that one owner may experience all kinds of paranormal things and another won't at all. Some people do seem more open to the paranormal than others. I think changing the location of an object may be a big factor also. For example, I have an old mirror and a sofa from the 1850's that I used to experience some things with. I had lived in a home that had quite a bit of paranormal activity and I would hear knocking sounds coming from the mirror and occasionally see a figure out of the corner of my eye sitting on the edge of the sofa. When I moved, the activity stopped. My theory is that the energy in the house, or the energy of the two pieces combined, somehow "played off" one another to produce some sort of paranormal energy. Currently, the sofa and the old mirror are in seperate rooms.

My suggestion is to buy a piece because you love it, not because it is said to be haunted. I think it is a good idea to be cautious whenever purchasing antique or even used furniture because you always run the chance of bringing in something that you might not like. This advice comes from a woman with a house full of antiques. My rule of thumb is, if I get a negative feeling from something, I don' want it in my home. Antique desks are getting harder to find, so if you do decide to buy it, enjoy your purchase! Good luck!

I'm also curious to know if this is an ebay item and why the person who is selling it (ebay or not) would tell you it's haunted? Did they say why they think it's haunted other than they have heard banging around it? I would think most ppl would be reluctant to mention something they are selling is haunted unless they were hoping in doing so they would get a higher price for it.

I agree with Carrie I wouldn't suggest you buy a piece because someone told you it's haunted, buy it because you really like it and would take it even if the person didn't make claim to it being haunted.

With that said, yes I too feel that furniture/items can be 'haunted' or unusual activity seems to happen around it or with it. Seems antiques are the most common items that have reports of odd things happening around them or to the ppl that own them (brings them bad luck for example). However sometimes ppl will let their imaginations get the better of them or they believe what they are experiencing is because of an item when it may have nothing to do with it.

It sounds like you have a copy of the pic (you noted you can email it) and you would like to share it, can I ask why you are unable to post on here? I'd like to see it. I too hope you enjoy the desk should you opt to purchase it. =)

alway's have and interest in this sort of thing keep us posted. as far as e-bay. very unlikely it's true.

Hello everyone!

Well I will be looking at the desk tomorrow and we will see what kind of energy my wife and I will get from it...

As far as ebay... I came across this desk when I was searching ebay... so the answer is yes... hold on with your thoughts... I was looking for antiques locally in the Albuquerque area so I can save on shipping if I did find anything... I did find this antique desk which is something I would purchase as an investment and which I thought was an awesome desk! However, I read on the description it was haunted so I didn't pay much attention to that. Although I thought it was cool... My interest was in the desk not the haunted part... SO that should answer some questions. I had thought about it for a while and thought I would look online and do some research. I really couldn't find much on " haunted furniture" so I thought I would join this group (Spirtkeep) and pose the question. As I am reading your responses I think I found a great group that I can share and learn from. I did contact (by phone) this lady who owns the desk and she said it really does bang and make a lot of noises. She sounded normal and said there is a spirit that likes this desk. It was built by her great grandfather. The item did not sell on ebay because she thinks she told the truth about it being haunted and must have scared folks off... My wife and I will be going over to her house tomorrow afternoon to check it out... Wish us luck!

As far as the photo... I do not have a url address to post it to... It is just downloaded in my computer. If it is easy to post to this website... please let me know in detailed instructions...(not super computer literate) and I will post the desk... FYI: I did follow the posting instructions but I can't figure it out.. I also tried pasting it and it wouldn't work... Please any advice and I will give it a try.


Also, what do you think of the new shows on the Travel channel and the Sci Fi Channel... I believe the on on Travel Chanbel is called Most Haunted and the other on is called TAPS or something like that... Am I wasting my time or is this something that is real! I know it is a reality show but I do like the topic! Thanks for sharing your opinions. I really do appreciate it!

Glad you found us, Mountainman!
I think it is a great idea to check out the desk in person. If you get any sort of negative feel to it, you can always walk away. If you don't, it sounds like a great peice! If the desk was built by this woman's great-grandfather, the spirit may be attached to her rather than the desk. When and if you get it home, you may find that there is no knocking at all.

I don't think having the item advertised as haunted scared people away on the ebay auction. In the past, that has been a big selling point. What may have happened, is so many people getting burned, thinking they were buying a "haunted" doll/bedroom set/shoes (yes, I saw a haunted pair of shoes advertised), and finding out that it was just a scam to get people to buy something. I've heard of several unethical sellers using that ploy.

We've got several threads on the shows you've mentioned, be sure to check them out. I get a kick out of watching them. There is also one on TLC called Dead Tennants which is probably my favorite right now.

Hopefully this works with posting the photo link of the desk ... What is interesting is that the photo is grainey when the desk is open. I attached a second link of the photo where it is clear and the leaf is closed.. I just find it interesting...

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d162/mountainbound/ce_3.jpg[/URL]

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d162/mountainbound/e2_3.jpg[/URL]

the desk style is chippendale. there's several book's on the market. possessed possesions by ed konowitz dealing with furniture. I had a possessed doll,took a while to figure out what it was. the story is in print.

Well I checked out the desk personally and did not get any negative vibes around it... only positive. However, I did get negative vibes when entering the house due to the fact that I cannot handle a smokers house. I am not the person to purchase antiques from a smoking family... I did get to check out the desk and it is beautiful!! It is just as described... We had a long talk about the haunted spirit that posesses the desk. I informed her about how the spirit might be attached to her and not the desk... She never thought of that.. also she had informed me that she gets the chills when walking by the desk. She knocked on the desk as she hears it lightly and aggresively and that was a trip to hear... I just can't imagine the desk start knocking and banging... It was really cool to hear!! She also told me that the knocking and banging happens about 3 to 4 times a month. When it does start it lasts periodically throughout that day... and then goes away... Isn't this kinda cool??

Unfortunately, she was asking too much for the desk and if I had that kind of money I would have purchased it... I am glad I was able to see it in person and even get the chance to educate the owner a little... Thanks to all who responded and gave me great insight and advice!!

I will keep in touch!!

Hi Mountainman:

Very cool desk indeed... I can't add much more to what others have said, I do know that sometimes ghosts or spirits are attached to objects. There was a couple who I used to babysit for, and they had major poltergeist activiy in their home. The father was agnostic and didn't believe in anything that he couldn't actually see. But, this made a believer out of him. They had 3 daughters and the activity stayed around them most of the time. Noises being made, heat turning on in mid summertime, locked one of the girls in the bathroom. It appeared as a mist in the mirror and whispered to them. Anyway, after about a year of being terrified, they finally figured out this started when they bought an old Victrola from an antique shop. Once they got rid of it, their "haunting" went away.

Hey Mountainman,

Thanks for sharing the pics of the desk, it is beautiful. I didn't notice the orb on it however, was one of these two pics the one that you noted it in? Just curious. Glad you were able to go and see the desk, that is an interesting story she told. Carrie has a point if there is a spirit presence at her home it may be linked to her rather than the desk. Unless her great-grandfather is the one doing the knocking and he knocks on the desk to let her know that it's him seeing he was the one who built it? Actually come to think of it this desk has obviously been her families possession since it was built so if by chance there was a spirit attached to it it would stand to reason it was a family member and not someone unknown. Did she say how long whe has had the desk herself and if any other family member (besides her great-granparents) have it before her? Also curious if she told you when the knocking/banging started?

Well that's to bad that her price was too high. Oh one more question (sorry just intriqued by the story) did she say why she wants to sell it? I would find it hard to part with such a lovely piece of furniture that was hand built by my great-grandfather. Hmm now I'm thinking even more that this good be him trying to knock some sense into her (so to speak) that she shouldn't try to profit from a family heirloom.

GrimReaper, dolls have always freaked me out (even those not believed to be haunted). Saw a program a while back that had a story about a cpl of haunted dolls on display in museums. Apparently workers would arrive in the morning to find them in different positions or locations from where/how they had left them the night before. There were other unusual things that happened with them. I'm curious do you still have the doll you believe to be possessed and why do think it's haunted? Sorry Mountainman I didn't mean to infringe on your thread with these questions for Grim and discussing the dolls. GrimReaper if you wouldn't mind sharing more about your doll I'd really like to hear more - however we should start a new thread for it. =)

Great looking desk! It is a shame about the asking price. I had the same thought Cat did about her reasons for selling it. I can't imagine parting with something like that, especially if a family member made it.

Cat & Carrie,

She told me that she wanted to downsize her life and reduce clutter in her apartment. Looking around the apartment I could have selected many more items to be removed over this one... She said she feels no attachment to this desk... which I find wierd. When her mom passed away she told her that there is a spiirt in the desk... She believes her mom was having the same experiences...

The potential orb was in the first link photo near the reflection of the first small drawer knob inside the desk (lower left). of course it could be just about anything. I checked out the reflections and this small circle did not make any sense... I told her to take more photos of the desk when it was open especially when she started hearing the banging and knocking...

Cat...normally I would say don't thread on me (hah!) but these discussions tend to take turns and that is cool! The doll story is just one piece of the big puzzle!!

Here is the area to which I think you are referring as a possible orb. I cropped and enlarged it, to see it better. This is the area next to the first little knob reflection on the left. It could be a type of reflection... but I am leaning more towards it being a little dust orb. It doesn't appear to have movement, and it doesn't appear to be illuminating. So, most likely that's what it is. I hope I got the right area lol.



[ November 14, 2005, 01:09 PM: Message edited by: SavannahSilkie ]

MM - "normally I would say don't thread on me" - love it, thanks for the chuckle. Yep threads do at times go in different directions per say, however if it leads to something where a whole new discussion can take place it's best to start a new thread (which I see GrimReaper did =) - will go and check it out next). Besides some others may still have something to share regarding haunted furniture so it's best we leave room in this thread for that.

Hmm she wanted to downsize and reduce the clutter in her apartment and picks the one item that she proclaims is haunted. I don't know, I can understand someone wanting to sell some things to reduce 'clutter' but seeing it was only that one item and a piece which most would not consider to be clutter, sounds more like she is looking to make some cash and is using the 'haunted' thing to garner a higher price. IMO

Have to admit though it would have been interesting to see if the 'haunting' continued had you purchased it. Seeing you are interested in antique desks there is still a chance you may find another that comes with a little extra history attached to it. =) I'm betting though the most likely scenario of that happening will be one you purchase in which the owner does not make claims to it being haunted. It's too bad ppl have used the "it's haunted" ploy to scam others as sure makes ya leery everytime you hear that claim now. Not that I'm looking to buy anything haunted (have had enough experiences w/o looking for it lol), but for those who are I'm sure it's a daunting task and one that has made their wallets lighter for naught.

Pate thanks for cropping out the orb, I agree it doesn't appear to be anything PN. =)

[ November 14, 2005, 06:43 PM: Message edited by: Cat ]

Thanks Cat!

I thought I would at least ask everyones opinions on the orb thought... I am not the orb expert but when/if I do see things like that I will at least question it... thanks

FYI: She did have an antique apprasior look at it and told her that it was worth at least $5,000. However, when she had reserved it on ebay it was $2500. She said she would go down to $1500... Still a bit too much since I am on a budget building a new house... I think its a hell of a deal... I do think she is honest but confused on taste of furniture... The antique appraisor had informed her that she would have a hard time selling it in this region of Southwest...

your right it would take off. in new york. $2,500.00 is a fair price.

I'm surprised she hasn't found someone willing to pay her reserve price seeing it was appraised at $5,000. If $2,500 is a fair price in NY, as GrimReaper noted, surely there must be buyers in that area alone that would be interested? Unless she's not willing to ship it anywhere, then I can understand why she may have a hard time selling it if there isn't a market for antique desks in that area? Curious the antique appraiser didn't scoop it up and re-sell it to one of his/her connections elsewhere. Hey MM do you know anyone in the NY area you could re-sell it too? At $1,500 (if she's willing to sell it to you for that price) plus shipping and insurance, you would still make a decent profit even if you didn't go any higher than the reserve bid. Plus you could find out if it's haunted in the meantime. Don't say it's allegedly haunted though as that will make ppl leery about the asking price. Sorry, I'm sure with building a house (congrats btw) you have your plate full as it is, it's just the business mind in me couldn't resist when I read your comments. =)