Last year was my debut at PAN Amsterdam. It turned out to be a great event, so we're doing it again.

20 - 27 November

RAI convention center, Amsterdam

Europaplein 24, 1078 GZ Amsterdam

From home-made to fine art

Back when I was a kid, I was an odd duck in our small, rural village with my Kung Fu DVDs and sword hobbies. I was swinging around broomsticks and homemade nunchakus all day, every day, and the connection between the two sticks failed more than once, sending one flying through the room. 

At age 10, I found an iron bar at a construction site, heated it and hammered it into the shape of a Burmese dha I had seen in a book of my dad's.

Top: Dha made by me in 1989.
Iron, rope, masking tape.
Bottom: Mindan village dha, probably by Saya Pyo circa 1900.
Iron, steel, copper, silver, wood, resin.

A lot changed since then, I went from representing contemporary makers of reproduction swords to antiques around 2005 and raised my sights each year to find better quality, more notable items. It has been slow but steady progress, and most enjoyable work.

Still, it was surreal to see what came of this hobby at the fair last year, presenting my favorite items alongside items such as old master paintings, roman glass, fine colonial furniture, and the odd Picasso.

With the special ladies in my life at PAN 2021.
Sister Suus, mom Bea (RIP) and lovely wife Nany. 
Thanks all for sticking by me while I was a thoroughly annoying brother, kid, and husband.

When you achieve something, it's easy to think, "I did that." But I realize we all need a little luck as well, like having people around us that want us to succeed, and I had that. And still have.

Friends, family, people looking out for antiques for me, kind fellow dealers, mentors, restorers, museum staff, and of course, the collectors.

A big thank you to all who helped me down this road.

I hope to see you at PAN 2022!