Islamic Bowl Brings Beauty to Mealtime In Ancient Ottoman Empire

Islam has been in the news a lot lately, but did you know that Islam was a remarkable civilization dating back to the seventh century when Muhammad began preaching is new faith at Mecca at the age of 40, when he started receiving revelations from God, in the year c. 610. Many beautiful designs and styles we incorporate into our art and architecture today owe their origins to Islam.
At Pheonix Ancient Art there are several beautiful and unique objects which represent the great Islamic culture of the past. As an example here is a silver gilt bowl from the early to middle 16th century A.D., which is at the time of the Ottoman Empire.

The bowl is delightfully decorated with animals in a quasi-hemispheric shape and further adorned in a complex floral pattern. The design of the bowl was raised into the silver by hammering, and was totally gilded inside and only partially gilded on the outside under the lip of the bowl.

There is much to be said about this wonderful piece of ancient art. Visit Phoenix Ancient Art where you can examine other artworks from the Islamic and other periods in history which are the foundation of our own civilization.

Ali Aboutaam's Exhibit Featuring "Exotics of the Ancient World"

Ali Aboutaam arranged an exhibition of “Exotics of the Ancient World.” The following is taken from the introduction to the catalog 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.

Phoenix Showing Female Deities in Geneva

The Geneva Gallery of Phoenix Ancient Art will be exhibiting depictions of female divinities from the Mediterranean basin area. The show, which is entitled

“Déeses”
Divinités Féminines des Civilisations Méditerranéennes

will be open from October 29th until November 25, 2009.

The Aboutaam brothers Ali and Hicham warmly invite you to attend and enjoy this very special presentation.

Phoenix Showing at Fine Arts and Antiquities Show in New York

This year, for the first time, Phoenix Ancient Art will be joining the prestigious International Fine Art and Antique Dealers Show. The show is scheduled to take place from October 19 and running through until October 25, at the Park Avenue Armory in New York City. The Arts Fair is well-known as a showcase for high-end artworks dating back from antiquity and including contemporary pieces.

Hicham Aboutaam is especially looking forward to the show. As he put it

“The International Fine Art and Antique Dealers Show is an exceptional venue that provides us with the opportunity to present our best pieces to some of the world’s most discerning collectors.”

One of the more delightful pieces that will be displayed at the show is a Greek jug from the end of the 5th century B.C. It features and unusual representation of an octopus, which delightfully appears on the bottom of the jug as it is tipped upwards during use, staring directly in the face of the person using the jug.

What really excites Ali Aboutaam is what he says will be the highlight of the Phoenix booth. The solid bronze cast of a Hellenistic figure of Hermes, standing close to 27 centimeters tall, will surely catch the attention of passersby. Hermes is sculpted seated, perhaps resting between one of his missions as the messenger of the Gods.

The Aboutaams hope that some of you will be able to rest a while at their stand and look at their beautiful collection of antiquities.

Ancient Exotics at Phoenix

Recently, Phoenix Ancient Art, the leading art dealership in the field of antiquities, arranged an exhibition titled “Exotics of the Ancient World.” Phoenix Ancient Art is the family business of the Aboutaam family that was founded by S. Aboutaam, and is headed by his two sons, Ali and Hicham Aboutaam. Phoenix is a major antiquities art dealership, and they are also extremely active in hosting exhibitions at their two galleries in New York and Geneva.

The following is an excerpt from the catalog 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... These works of art were viewed as... even repulsive.

This collection hopes to suggest a bit of a change of scenery... 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."

What is Meant by Hellenistic Art?

The term Hellenistic is a modern term which encompasses a large geographical area and long period in time. Hellenistic art dates from about 323 BCE until the year 146 BCE and including all of the Aegean. Since such a large area and time period are included, Hellenistic art is comprised of many varying styles. However for the sake of convenience this is the term that is used.

Phoenix Ancient Art has a wonderful selection of Hellenistic art to choose from. Ali Aboutaam owner and manager of Phoenix takes pride in his collection which has been chosen with the utmost care so that his collectors will choose their art from only the best possible alternatives.

Hellenistic Head at Phoenix Ancient Art

While we’re on the subject of marble heads, Phoenix Ancient Art has a wonderful Hellenistic head of a King available for purchase. Amazing in detail, it is related to depictions of Antiochus III (The Great). Executed realistically the head was sculpted with a square chin, sunken cheeks, fleshy lips and large almond-eyes. His age is not hidden as he is portrayed with deep wrinkles along his neck, a long crease at the bridge of the nose, a receding hairline and thick, naso-labial folds.

Due to the scale and the diadem on his head, it is believed that the subject of the sculpture was of royal lineage. There is a close relation between this sculpture and one which is identified as Antiochus III in the Louvre.

Antiochus III won the famous battle of Panium in 198 B.C.E. which ended the Ptolemaic rule in Judea. His son, Antiochus IV (Epiphanes) continued in his father’s footsteps and tried to destroy (unsuccessfully) the Jews in Judea. The story is written in the Book of Maccabees, the apocrypha of the Bible.