Ali Aboutaam of Phoenix Ancient Art in Geneva, Switzerland

Ali and Hicham Aboutaam arranged an exhibition of “Exotics of the Ancient World.” The following is taken from the introduction to the catalogue which was published for this exhibit.

In the 19th century the neo-classical movement together with the renewed taste for antiquities reinforced the image of ancient idealism. Beauty was filled with elegance and nobility.

Because of this focus on the idealization of beauty, an entire aspect of antiquity was forgotten. The dimension of the ancient world which was marginalized and considered negligible included representations of the strange, unusual and picturesque. These works of art were viewed as trivial and even repulsive.

This collection hopes to suggest a bit of a change of scenery. We believe there is a parallel counterpart in the literature of the times. We at Phoenix Ancient Art believe it is a response to a type of weariness or boredom, perhaps caused by an excess of dignity and grandeur.

Ali and Hicham Aboutaam of Phoenix Ancient Art presented a beautiful catalog displaying unusual antiquities from a class with neglected, forgotten themes.

The following is the introduction to the catalog.

The works of Greco-Roman antiquity are familiar to our vision of the world. We are well acquainted with the themes of reason, moderation and truth, these values being the cornerstones of western civilization as we know it. In addition, the essence of the art is naturalistic: based on objective observations of the reality surrounding us. However the art, as art, goes a step further, responding to the reality with a desire to surpass reality, making it truer, more beautiful, and more perfect than the reality observed. There is systematic idealization, often depicted in the artistic representation of the human form, which is seen as the highest standard of beauty. This is why it is fundamental to the Greek notion of beauty that the gods are represented through the human form, distinguished only through an exceptional sense of majesty.

Ali Aboutaam, along with his brother Hicham, love what they do. They are passionately committed to bringing beautiful art objects of past ages to as many people as possible. Among Phoenix Ancient Art’s clients are some of the world’s greatest museums. When ancient art is on display in a museum setting the wealth of the world’s cultures is shared as widely as possible.

Of course private individuals and collectors purchase antiquities with the desire to enrich their environment, with the beauty and meaning that come from such objects. But along with the privilege of owning and enjoying rare artifacts of extraordinary beauty comes the responsibility of actually acting as a custodian for each work of art. Ultimately these objects that have come down to us through hundreds and in some cases thousands of years cannot really belong to any one individual. These ancient works of art belong to our communal culture and heritage. Each individual owner is really escorting the object through time so that it continues to “live” in a certain sense, into the future generations.

Ali Aboutaam says it best: “Our clients never really own any of these works, but merely look after them in their best possible interest (restoration, conservation, studying, publishing, exhibiting, etc…), for only a brief time span, until parting, and then someone else, be it an individual or an institution, takes over that responsibility.”

The Aboutaams and Phoenix Ancient Art believe in what they do, and it is their wish and goal that as many people as possible can enjoy the privilege of owning objects of beauty and historical significance.

Phoenix Ancient Art is run by two brothers who grew up surrounded by antiquities and beautiful objects of art.

Ali Aboutaam was born in Lebanon, a country rich in archeological wonders. In Lebanon one can find the remnants of great civilizations such as the Phoenician and Roman cultures. In the midst of this heritage Aboutaam was raised by parents who were themselves involved in buying and selling antiquities.

While still in college studying engineering Ali was able to satisfy is passion for collecting antiquities by building his own respectable collection of coins from the Hellenistic period.

Upon graduating Ali began to take his position as his father’s heir to the family business. Over the years Ali Aboutaam, along with his brother Hicham, have built up Phoenix Ancient Art until it became one of the world’s most renowned antiquities dealerships, with offices in Geneva and New York.

Today Ali resides in Geneva, Switzerland, but travels worldwide in search of objects to offer to his clientele and display in his gallery. Aboutaam is lucky to be able to visit the great museums of the world while on his travels, further expanding his understanding and appreciation of the world’s art, from the ancient past and the far ends of the globe.