Phoenix Ancient Art to Show Early Faiences

NEW YORK, December 1, 2011 -

A spectacular exhibition of ancient art works of faience from the private collection of the Aboutaam family will be on view at Phoenix Ancient Art in New York (47 East 66th Street) from December 6th-30th, 2011.  The exhibition will then be traveling to BRAFA, (57th Brussels Antiques & Fine Arts Fair, Tour & Taxis), January 21st -29th 2012.  Followed by a wonderful display at Phoenix Ancient Art in Geneva (6, rue Verdaine, Geneva), Spring 2012. This private collection was originally formed by Sleiman Aboutaam and continued by his sons, Ali and Hicham.

(Photo: photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111201/NY15972 )

Fans of “William,” the well-loved Egyptian faience hippopotamus at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, will be  pleased to see  that there are three other examples of blue-green hippopotami in the show that are among the stars of the exhibition.  Two date from the Middle Kingdom (dynasty 11-13);  one is from the Late Period (6th-4th century B.C.), which is known as the Persian Period because it was truly international with similar works appearing from Egypt to Iran and the Levant. The hippopotamus, which looks so benign and lovable, was, in fact, a force of nature to be reckoned with, both in this life and in the next. 

Other highlights from this 100 plus piece collection include an Egyptian New Kingdom light green figure of a seated antelope (c. 1570-1294 B.C.); an Egyptian pectoral with a military scene representing Ramses II (13th century B.C.); a Greek aryballos (small globular vase) in the form of a hedgehog from the mid-6th century B.C.; a Late Period Egyptian dish decorated with a pair of lions (5th-4th century B.C.); and an Egyptian amphora from the Hellenistic period decorated with a gold leaf wreath (3rd century B.C.)

About Phoenix Ancient Art:

Among the world’s finest dealers in Classical Antiquities, Phoenix Ancient Art (www.phoenixancientart.com) is a second generation business, with elegant galleries in New York City and Geneva, Switzerland that display pieces of exceptional beauty and rarity representing more than 7,000 years of human creativity, from the Neolithic period to the Middle Ages. Founded by Sleiman Aboutaam in 1968, the galleries are run by his sons, Ali and Hicham, both of whom have a deep knowledge of and great love for the artistic heritage of Western Civilization.

Emily Davis, New York, +1-212-288-7518; or Helene Yubero, Geneva, +41-22-318-8010