As we walked around the Old Bazaar on our quest for another art to present, we were magnetically drawn to the window of an antique shop. Its old, well preserved, and beautifully made objects were beckoning us to take a look. Upon entering we found ourselves face to face with Ivan Panov, a third generation antique collector whose family has been here for a long time. His shop is at 8A Drvarska Street.
At first we found ourselves easily distracted. Every object was unique in its own way and begged our attention. We thoroughly enjoyed exploring the shop, but our first thought was that even though the antique shop was a delightful find, collecting antiques was not really an art in the sense of creating something new. So we almost turned away to look for something else.
Our host soon assured us that collecting antiques is indeed an art. Anyone can find old things. Only a true artist can take what is old and make it as interesting and beautiful as the new. Panov referred to the art of collecting as an ‘incurable disease’ that drives the collector into buying yet another precious object from the old days even at the expense of sacrificing their much treasured vacation.
Ivan told us that apart from collecting antiques, he was also an expert in restoration and appraisal. As far as appraisal is concerned, he mentioned that it is a painstaking task due to the broad knowledge required concerning things like production quantities, the unique qualities of each object, judging authenticity and material quality, condition of the object, age, maker, and the like. The price of extremely rare objects often goes through the roof. However, devoted collectors are ready to pay whatever it takes for the indescribable thrill of holding a treasured object in their own hands.
Antiques are easily damaged, wither in transit, accidentally, or just through age and handling. In his thirty year career, Ivan has restored wood, porcelain, and metal objects as well as paintings. It requires tremendous skill, patience, and knowledge to find and apply just the right materials to repair damaged antiques.
Among the myriad antiquities displayed in his store you can find an amazing variety of interesting objects, each with its own story to tell. We don’t know all of the hidden tales, but we can share a verbal glimpse with you of the shop contents: : a salep samovar (a 19th century device for preparing salep), a cute wooden baby pram from the beginning of the 20th century, a special two-part bag used for money and mail by the VMRO (The Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization, active during the Ottoman Empire), the oldest bronze and brass shoehorn in Macedonia, the oldest sewing machine and backgammon board in Macedonia, an adorable little door-knocker in the shape of a hand, a collection of minerals and crystals, very old typing machines, telephones, coffee machines, well-preserved watches and antique clocks, traditional clothes, old weapons, paintings by famous Macedonian artists and many other things that will arouse your curiosity and which carry in them lots of past secrets and feelings. Almost all of these things come from Macedonia.
The most devoted collectors often rely on small means to refine their art. There is always more to acquire than an individual has time, money or space to invest in, so choices and compromise are an integral part of love for antiques. To true devotees, nothing else takes the place of their ongoing conversation with the past.
If we managed to spark your interest, please visit Ivan’s time machine. He will gladly accompany you on a pleasant journey back into the past.
Ivan Panov Antique Shop
8A Drvarska Street
Old Bazaar, Skopje
Macedonia
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