This Lotus Box from Kagen Schaefer has several concentric circles of inlaid wood on top. When the rings are turned to the correct design, secret compartment drawers can be opened.
This Lotus Table by Kagen Schaefer has 10 concentric rings of inlaid wood on the top. When those rings are spun to the right position, it allows 6 secret compartments to swing-out.
This tilt-top table, once for sale on Rita Bucheit Antiques, was built in 1825 and shows an interesting secret compartment revealed when the top is tilted vertically.
I haven’t found much background info on this story, but it looks like someone was trying to smuggle large amounts of contraband across the border with secret compartments in hay bales.