Phoenix Ancient Art to Exhibit Collection of Roman Portraits, Unveil Its Newly Renovated...

Phoenix Ancient Art to Exhibit Collection of Roman Portraits, Unveil Its Newly Renovated New York Gallery

Space to Highlight Beauty of Individual PortraitureNEW YORK--(Business Wire)--Phoenix Ancient Art, one of the world's leading dealers in rare,high quality antiquities from Western civilizations, today announcedthat its exhibition, "IMAGO - Four Centuries of Roman Portraiture,"will open to the public on December 6 and is expected to run untilJanuary 16, 2008. Accompanying the show is a tailor-made, 16-piece,full-color Roman portraits catalogue which presents the works ondisplay as part of the gallery's ongoing series of scholarlyexhibitions and fair publications. "The exhibition is intended to provide collectors and museums witha personal glimpse into Rome, one of the world's greatestcivilizations, as seen through the eyes of those who witnessed it,"said Hicham Aboutaam, co-owner of Phoenix Ancient Art. "Thesculptures, created in marble, bronze, gold, and chalcedony, rangefrom the second half of the 1st century B.C. to the middle of the 4thcentury A.D. giving a visual timeline of the evolution of ancientRome, from the time of Augustus to Constantine the Great." IMAGO will showcase sixteen portraits including a major, over lifesize marble head of Tiberius, emperor of Rome from 14-37 A.D. Thisportrait head, which was found in Algeria during the late 19thcentury, is sculpted from luminous white marble and is arguably thefinest one known of Tiberius. He was known for his strong build andintelligence, which is highlighted by the nearly impenetrable gaze ofhis eyes in this extraordinary head. Another highlight of the collection is a bust of a matron from theFlavian Period, between the late 1st and early 2nd century A.D.; oncebelonging to a 19th century collection in Vienna. Most impressive isthe intricate carving of the woman's hair, which forms ahoneycomb-like network before ending in two chignons. Roman women werenotorious for intricate hairstyles, and the wig-like appearance of thesculpture indicates the subject's great wealth and level in Romansociety. "This great collection will not only be admired by our existingclientele, it will surely introduce and entice all other artcollectors into fine classical art," said Ali Aboutaam, co-owner ofPhoenix Ancient Art. In addition to IMAGO, Phoenix Ancient Art will display acollection of rarely-seen works and EXOTICS OF THE CLASSICAL WORLD, a40-piece catalogue featuring representations of dancers, actors,Africans, grotesques, those with unusual physical maladies and houseservants - all of whom were vital and often overlooked members ofancient society. The grotesque collection debuted at the Genevagallery in January 2007. Located at 47 East 66th Street in NYC, the gallery will be open tothe public, beginning December 6, Monday-Friday, 10am - 6pm; Saturdays11am-5pm. ABOUT PHOENIX ANCIENT ART As the leading dealer in Western antiquities, Phoenix Ancient Art

(www.phoenixancientart.com) serves a clientele of world-class museumsand top private collectors. The gallery's reputation for ensuringpieces of unsurpassed quality from some of the most important andprestigious collections from Europe and America has made Phoenix aleader in the industry. Originally formed in 1968, Phoenix Ancient Artwas officially incorporated in 1995 under brothers Hicham and AliAboutaam. The gallery has locations in New York City and Geneva,Switzerland.Dukas Public RelationsKristina Ferrari, 212-704-7385kristina@dukaspr.comCopyright Business Wire 2007