Apulian, 4th Century B.C.

Height: 3 5/16”

Diameter of Base: 21/16”

Monkeys did not exist in the art of Greece, but they can be found in the art of Magna Graecia, the Greek colonies on the southern coast of Italy. The image of the monkey came from Africa during the Ptolemaic period during the rule of Alexander the Great. Most plastic vessels are made  in the shape of animal heads–birds, bulls, ducks, deer—or women’s heads, and such vessels as the were used to hold aromatic oils and perfumes. Here is a  rare and charming example of a monkey’s head that comes from the Apulia region.  This finely-detailed model is made of terracotta with a black glaze and added paint.  “It is a remarkable survival and record of the virtuosity of the Greek colonies whose culture spread across the Greek world,” says Hicham Aboutaam, co-owner of Phoenix Ancient Art

$90,000

Asserting that ancient art objects can be an excellent way to diversify assets when considering investment vehicles, Hicham Aboutaam also believes that the prospective investor must also possess passion for and knowledge about the antiquities he is acquiring.

Collecting antiquities is obviously not like other ways of investing, explains Hicham Aboutaam.  Collectors of rare and beautiful objects display them in their homes and never tire of looking at them.  Besides having an aesthetic appreciation, collectors also must be informed about the market, so that they can make appropriate purchases at the correct price.

Phoenix Ancient Art and the Aboutaam brothers, Hicham and Ali, make collecting antiquities a most pleasant and rewarding pastime. They love to educate buyers and they guarantee that anything purchased is authentic.

In other words, as Hicham Aboutaam puts it,

“Especially antiquities originating in the area of the Mediterranean basin are the essence of our western civilization.”

For instance, in a recent sale at Christie’s in New York, over $325 million in sales was enjoyed, the second highest total sales at a contemporary art auction since the 2nd World War.

In the antiquities marketplace, especially in the realm of ancient art, this fact is even truer. Considering that there is a limited amount of ancient art, (no one is producing any more of it) items are therefore rare and in demand, and demand continues to grow.

According to Hicham Aboutaam of Phoenix Ancient Art, antiquities can be the perfect blend of a satisfying hobby or interest with an excellent way to diversify one’s portfolio.

Not sure what to expect from collectors this year due to the economic turn down, Anna Haughton, one of the organizers of the fair commented that sales were better this year than they have been in the most recent past.
According to Ms. Haughton, “Some dealers have said they’ve seen clients they haven’t seen in two or three years,” and she added that they detected a “sea change in the mood when dealers were clearly apprehensive” about sales

Especially pleased with the sales at the fair, Ali and Hicham Aboutaam of the New York and Geneva branches of Phoenix Ancient Art, described sales at their booth as “feverish.” The Aboutaams accepted six different bids for a unique Roman figure of a female dating back to the first century. They had strong sales for other pieces, including a head-vase in the shape of an oinochoe (wine jug) dating to 450 BCE, which sold for $300,000 and for $120,000 Phoenix Ancient Art sold an early Roman bust.

A wonderful example of Hellenistic Realism, this bronze sculpture depicts a street dancer who appears to be suffering from some type of deformity or illness. We see the artist taking extreme care to capture the details.. We can see clearly the energetic movements of the dancer. It is difficult to gauge  the age of the dancer, but from the figure’s extreme thinness and facial features, we surmise that we are observing a man who is  getting on in years.

Ali and Hicham Aboutaam invite you to examine more examples from their catalogue, “Exotics of the Classical World.”

For example, Ali and Hicham Aboutaam published a catalog entitled “Exotics of the Classical World.”

Within this catalog 40 separate pieces are discussed in depth in English, with a full French translation of each description available in an appendix at the back.

The premise of this collection is a counterpoint to what has come to be accepted as the theme of Greco-Roman antiquities and the neo-classical movement of the 19th century. In opposition to the traditional notion of the ‘Greek-Roman’ ideal of beauty, idealism, elegance and nobility, the “Exotics” collection point to a different standard, that of the unusual, strange, picturesque, and even ugly, at times.

Delve into the world of “Exotics” with the Aboutaam brothers, and get a taste of something different.

Scythian Bamboo Weapon

The term Scythian refers to a group of many nomadic tribes who spoke the Iranian language and roamed  from the Danube river plains to the Central Asian steppes and eastward to Siberia. The Scythians were warriors, and even Scythian women fought in battles.

This artifact is quite a find, not just for its inherent beauty but for its historical value.

Other beautiful, rare and unique artworks on view include ancient Egyptian sculptures, antique armor and weaponry jewelry, glassware, paintings and  much, much more. When visiting the show, be sure to stop by Phoenix Ancient Art and say hi to Hicham Aboutaam. It will be his pleasure to show you his treasures.

Park Avenue Armory

Roman Bronze Bust

Hicham and Ali Aboutaam of Phoenix Ancient Art are pleased to announce that they will be displaying many of their antiquities at the upcoming International Fine Art and Antique Dealers Show.  Phoenix will be located in the prominent position of E2, and will feature art works from all over the ancient world, including Rome, Egypt, Greece, Mesopotamia and Islam.

There will be a full color catalogue including the works displayed at the show, which is part of Phoenix’s ongoing series of publications of a scholarly nature as well cataloging the fairs they have participated in.
The most prominent feature at the fair on display at the Phoenix booth will be a bigger-than-life ancient Roman sculpture carved from green basalt skillfully rendering a muscular, heroic man’s torso.