Ali Aboutaam

This bracelet is one of late Roman origin, from the fourth century A.D. Phoenix Ancient Art, co-owned by brothers Ali Aboutaam and Hicham Aboutaam, offers this bracelet among many other pieces of beautiful ancient jewelry and antiques. The bracelet consists of two parts- the band, and the central decoration. The band is an elaborate, detailed hoop made of rhomboid-shaped gold pieces, and the ornament at the top is made of six squares boxes surrounding a similar, rectangular shaped box. All of these boxes are set with emeralds. The two parts are held together by hinges, which enable the wearer to open and close the bracelet easily.

The design of the bracelet may seem simple, but in truth the bracelet is very sophisticated. The links along the band get heavier towards the center, giving the top of the bracelet a specific weight. The gold color of the bracelet contrasts beautifully with the green of the emeralds, which were set in a special method in order to align them with the rims of the gold boxes which encase them.

When an important anituqity is is unearthed and rediscovered, it makes for exciting headline news.  Antique collectors find this information fascinating, as do companies such as Phoenix Ancient Art with co-owners Hicham Aboutaam and Ali Aboutaam.

Recently, the upper part of a limestone sculpture of King Tut’s grandfather was unearthed in Luxor.  While excavating a large temple on Luxor’s west bank, archeologists discovered the statue of Amenhotep III. The Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities Secretary General said, “The statue is one of the best new finds in the area because of its expert craftsmanship.”

Experts will now continue their digging to find the rest of the important statue.

Phoenix Ancient Art, co-owned by brothers Hicham Aboutaam and Ali Aboutaam, always has something interesting and unique to offer.  One special piece in their collection is the Sabaean Alabaster Head of a Dignitary from South Arabia during the century B.C.  This piece probably had the head with a long neck attached to a base in its original form and it represents part of the wide variety of human representations in South Arabian art.  Like most of the south Arabian figures, this statue was part of the “Middle Period” which corresponded to the Hellenistic Greek period.

PHOENIX ANCIENT ART GALLERY HIGHLIGHT

Ring With A Cameo of A Crab
Roman, 1st century A.D.
Gold and cameo
2.8 cm diameter

This elliptically-shaped cameo ring at Phoenix Ancient art was created by hammering a thin sheet of gold and setting it with a cameo of a crab, which is sculpted three-dimensionally in a remarkably realistic and precise fashion. Representations of crabs have a long tradition in Graeco-Roman art, dating back nearly as far as the Archaic period. We find crabs painted on black figure ceramics and represented on currency or in glyphic art.

In Greek mythology, the crab appears only in relation to the labor of Heracles against the Lernean Hydra. During their combat, Hera sent aid to the hydra in the form of a giant crawfish (Karkinos in Greek). The animal snapped at Heracles with its claws before being defeated by the hero, who became furious at finding himself injured. As a reward for its aid, Hera transported Karkinos into the firmament, where it became the astrological sign of Cancer.

In Latin, the crab is called cancer; the same term used in numerous contemporary languages, which also indicates an illness that is very difficult to treat. It is probably this meaning of the word that provides a plausible explanation for the presence of this crustacean on the stone of an personal object such as a ring: the image of the animal was intended to serve as an amulet that might shield its wearer from the sickness.

Phoenix Ancient Art will be taking part  in the 25th annual Biennale des Antiquaries, to be held in Paris.  The exhibition has had a reputation as a major antique dealers fair dating back to the 1950s.  It was in 1956 that Pierre Vandermeersch, chairman of the Syndicat des Antiquaires  had a vision of establishing an event “where the beauty of the objects on show could compete with that of the women who come to visit the exhibition, a venue where elegance, prestige and celebration would await a host of art lovers and collectors.”  The first Biennale  in 1962 attracted French and international antique dealers and jewelers.  Not only were the objects displayed attractive and unique, but  also the ambience and setting, which comprised gardens, fountains and pavilions made for a truly wonderful event.  Over the years varous celebrities have frequented the show and today everyone  in the art and antiques world tries to attend..

Phoenix Ancient Art is excited to be part of the 25^th anniversary Biennale des Antiquaires in Paris. Among the many antiques they plan to feature,  will be a stunning Equestrian Figure of Alexander the Great. Dating from the Hellenistic period in the 3^rd-2^nd century B.C., this figure measures 49 cm in height.  Very few bronze figures of Alexander exist and most are smaller than this one.

Scholars believe that this sculpture was inspired by a monumental work, Alexander on Horseback, that was created in antiquity by the sculptor Lysippos. This original sculpture was erected in the sanctuary of Olympia Zeus at Zion and was later moved to Rome.  No one knows, at this point, what become of the sculpture.

Next month, Phoenix Ancient Art will have the opportunity to show some of its most stunning antiques at the Biennale des Antiquaires in Paris.  Taking place from September 15-22, 2010 at the stunning Grand Palais, this event brings together top international antiques dealers with a large range of specialties.

As Hicham Aboutaam, co-owner of Phoenix Ancient Art with his brother, Ali Aboutaam, says, “In addition to being the place where one can find the finest works of art on the market today, the Paris Biennale is also the most glamorous antiques fair in the world and  is always full of aesthetic surprises.”

The fair is celebrating its 25^th year.

Ali Aboutaam sells antiques art from many different historical cultures through Phoenix Ancient Art.  One of these is Scythian. These people hailed from what is now modern Iran, and, during their time, they dominated the Pontic-Caspian steppe (known as Scythia). Much of what know about them comes from Herodotus,  who wrote a poem of exile entitled Epistulae ex Ponto.  We also have information obtained from the goldwork that was discovered in Scythian burial mounds in South Russia and Ukraine.  At Phoenix Ancient Art, there is  currently on sale a Scythian Bronze Axe Head for $8,250.  It has a slim, pointed blade, which distinguishes it from the rather heavier and more rounded forms of other ancient axes.  Its delicate  format indicates that it was used for a ceremonial purpose (as opposed to some kind of weapon).  The mouflon is a type of wild sheep that was found in the Near East and Central Asia and was one of the first domesticated animals.  Mouflons played an important role in Scythian culture providing meat, milk, wool and horn while being hardy enough to survive in the harsh environments north of the Black Sea.

Ali Aboutaam sells art from various historical periods including the Archaic and Classical Greek era which started in 800 BCE and lasted until 480 BCE.  In terms of art history,  it “contained the seeds of classical art” and came after the Greek Dark Ages.  In terms of politics and culture, this era was famous for growth in political theory as well as for encompassing the beginnings  of classical poetry, philosophy, theater and written language.

One Archaic piece currently on sale at Phoenix Ancient Art is a very colorful and attractive bottle that probably at one time held some kind of perfumed oil.  Known as an amphoriskos (lit. miniature amphora) its ovoid shape is made from a glass of deep cobalt-blue hue, with a pointed bottom, circular shoulders, cylindrical neck and inward sloping disk rim.  It has opaque yellow glass threading around it from the top, as well as opaque turquoise glass around its widest part.  The handles are made from translucent blue glass.