Ali & Hicham Aboutaam » Aboutaam

‘SCARFACE’ BUST ONCE OWNED BY PHOENIX ANCIENT ART TRIPLES ESTIMATE AT SOTHEBY’S

Sophie — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 17:38:09 +0000

The market for fine antiquities has never been stronger. For example, a four-inch black chlorite bust of a mythological hero, whose most distinguishing characteristics are a long shell-inlaid scar crossing the right side of his face and another large scar on his left cheek sold at Sotheby’s on 8 December for $1,258,500 against a pre-sale estimate fo $300,000-500,000. The piece was consigned by a collector who bought it from the Aboutaam brothers, co-owners of Phoenix Ancient Art, who bought it at Christie’s in June 2000 for $105,000. The small but powerful piece has been in several private collections and is believed to have been found prior to 1961.

CYCLADIC FIGURE BRINGS RECORD PRICE AT CHRISTIE’S

Sophie — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 15:27:22 +0000

Christie’s Antiquities sale on 9 December was highlighted by an 11 ½ inch Cycladic marble reclining female figure, circa 2400 B.C. The piece of one of twelve known by the “Schuster Master,” so-called for this piece which once belonged to Swiss collector Marion Schuster. This example, which is the only complete work from the artist to survive, has never been up for auction before. It was last on the market in 2006, when the Aboutaam brothers, owners of Phoenix Ancient Art, exhibited it in their booth at the Paris Biennale. The piece was sold shortly after that to a private collector who consigned it to Christie’s for sale on TK December. The idol sold for $16,882,500, against presale expectations of $3-5 million. The price was a new auction record for a Cycladic marble figure, eclipsing the previous auction record of $2.09 million, paid at Sotheby’s for a Cycladic head in December 1988. Related posts:

Aboutaam at the Palm Beach Antiques Fair

admin — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 09:15:18 +0000

Each year, Palm Beach hosts a fantastic antiques fair, showing antiques from more than 90 dealers. Called the Palm Beach/America’s Fine Art & Antique Fair, this fair attracts the best antique dealers from around the world who display their possessions.

The 2007 fair, with its new director Dr. Michale Mezzatesta, lasted for 11 days with an invitation-only preview. The opening night saw such socialites as Melania Trump and Ivana Trump, Princess Michael of Kent, and many others.

Phoenix Ancient Art displayed a stunning booth of antiques. Their prized possessions included an Egyptian granite torso of King Nepherities that dates from the 29^th Dynasty (399-393 B.C.) priced at $2 million.

Antiques Popular for Phoenix Ancient Art & Others

admin — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 09:12:17 +0000

Historically, antiquities have only been a very small part of the art market. However, they are beginning to attract more attention from collectors and investors. The black market for antiques has been restricted, causing tighter controls on access to antiquities, and this, of course, raises the value of each antique and increases interest in this field. Tighter rules and lower supplies have made people more excited about antiquities. Recently, a bronze head of Ptolemy of Mauretania from around 520 A.D. was sold at Sotheby’s. Estimated to be worth up to $500,000, it sold for $960,000!

This excitement is certainly good news for antiquities galleries such as Phoenix Ancient Art, owned by Ali Aboutaam and Hicham Aboutaam. They understand that antiquities don’t grab headlines the way that other art does – but that they are a great opportunity and a great investment.

The Changing Face of Antique Buying

admin — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 09:07:54 +0000

Today, the purchase of antiques has a new face. As described on CNNMoney.com, antique purchasing has become more mainstream. This is particularly true in America. While antiques have always been of interest to the highly wealthy, the antiques world in America is finding more regular Americans participating in auctions.

Last year at Sotheby’s Antiquities sales the auction house was packed – and it wasn’t just full of intellectual dealers and wealthy patrons. There were many others there as well. The objects that were being auctioned, as well, were treated differently than they have been in the past. They were artistically displayed throughout the room..

Ali and Hicham Aboutaam, well-known antiqueities dealers, are excited about these changes. As Hicham Aboutaam said, “There are more and more Americans – all sorts of different classes and types of Americans – traveling throughout the world, going to museums, visiting old Europe, bringing these interests home with them, and wanting to learn more. They go see these things and think, ‘Wow, it can be this beautiful?’ It’s grassroots. It’s exciting.”

Aboutaam Brothers Preside at Phoenix Ancient Art

admin — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 12:59:44 +0000

Ali and Hicham Aboutaam of Phoenix Ancient Art welcome you to the fascinating and exciting world of art objects with a history! The brothers Aboutaam invite you to join them on a journey through the ages, where you can admire amazingly beautiful artworks, which, in addition to being attractive in their own right, are also thousands of years old. Imagine where these objects have traveled, who they have belonged to, how they were admired and enjoyed!

The world of ancient art is not just for elite connoisseurs with degrees in art history, archeology or Egyptology. No! Ali and Hicham Aboutaam have a mission: to make antiquities relevant and reachable to the average person. The Aboutaam brothers want the treasure sof our culture, the artifacts of our history, to be enjoyed by all who wish to bask in the beauty and relevance of ancient art.