Antiquities

Aboutaams Make Ancient Art Accessible to All

Published on by Ben Tzur - Ancient Art

Some people might find the idea of purchasing antiquities a bit intimidating. After all, prices are high, and the objects are extremely rare and often thousands of years old. However, the delight one experiences in being the custodian of such an ancient art object as it travels further along on its journey through the ages while simultaneously enjoying the object’s unique beauty should overcome the fear of getting in on this life enhancing experience.

For those who are still hesitating, the brothers Aboutaam, Ali and Hicham, have made purchasing ancient art extraordinarily user-friendly. First of all, Phoenix Ancient Art galleries, located in Geneva and New York, are open to the public and NOT by appointment only. They publish catalogues and offer curated exhibitions of their collections. The Aboutaams have recently started e-tiquities to further simplify the acquisition of ancient art through the internet.

The most impressive service that the Aboutaams offer, which should set the most nervous potential collector at ease, is their guarantee. Phoenix will stand behind their product, even if it means a full refund on a million-dollar piece whose provenance turns out to be false.

Peter Chavkin of the law firm Mintz Levin, who has worked with the Aboutaams and others in the antiquities marketplace, explains that, “the Aboutaams have the wonderful approach of not sticking collectors with a piece that turns out to have problems.”

Because of these practices business is booming at Phoenix Ancient Art, selling more antiquities at higher prices than the famous auction houses Christie’s and Sotheby’s.

So now there is no excuse not to get involved in a more active way with antiquities. Go get yourself a 4,000 year old statue. You’ll be glad you did.

Ancient Art is More Than Just ‘Old’

Published on by Ben Tzur - Ancient Art

Here we are, going on and on about antiquities and ancient art without having defined what it is that we mean by these terms. Interestingly this term does not have a precise definition, and what is “ancient” to one person may just be “old” to someone else. After all, it is not uncommon to refer to many apartments in New York City, or old people, or anything out of style as “ancient.” But of course the word really means much older than merely “old.” All kidding aside, what is the definition of antiquities?

Curiously, the date for what constitutes an object as “ancient” keeps getting pushed back in time.  For instance, in the 18th century something “Gothic” would have been considered “ancient art” although it may have only been 400-600 years old, whereas nowadays that same object, which is now actually 200-300 years older, is not considered to be “ancient” at all.

The “Departmant of Antiquities” at Christie’s Auction House includes artifacts from “the dawn of civilization” until the “Dark Ages.” The Dark Ages referring to the European Middle Ages beginning with the fall of the Roman Empire in the early 5th century and lasting until the 12th century. Later than that and your art object is merely “old.”

Academics tend not to use the term due to its lack of precision. It is best to describe each individual object according to its date and place of origin. The term ‘antiquities’ may be imprecise, but we can all agree they are fascinating and worth our appreciation.