Phoenix Ancient Art Invited to Participate in Premier Art Fair in Paris, September 16-25; Antiquities to be Featured Prominently at the Salon du Collectionneur

Business Wire, Sept 13, 2005

NEW YORK -- Phoenix Ancient Art, one of the world's leading dealers in rare and exquisite antiquities from Western civilizations, today announced that it will display dozens of pieces of ancient art at the Salon du Collectionneur, an exclusive art fair held every other year in Paris, France. This year, the Salon's second, a new focus is being placed on antiquities, with five international dealers appearing.

The Salon, held at the Carrousel du Louvre from September 16-25, 2005, features more than 100 dealers from various fields showcasing works of art, in addition to antiquities--including sculptures, drawings, paintings, ceramics, furniture, tribal art and jewelry. Phoenix Ancient Art is one of only four participating dealers specializing in Western antiquities, and will display a selection of classical pieces such as Greek vases and a sensual marble torso of Aphrodite. Other pieces include an Egyptian limestone ushabti of Lady Nefrari and a 4,000-year-old Canaanite bronze statuette. The highlight of the collection will be a limited selection of bronze and marble portraits dating from the third century B.C. to the fourth century A.D.

Phoenix Ancient Art has also produced a new, full-color catalogue, showing many pieces in its current collection that will be featured at the Salon. The 132-page, full-color catalogue features more than 80 works of art, from portraits to jewelry to idols.

"Over the past several years, the United Kingdom, France and Switzerland have passed laws that are regulating the market, allowing collectors to feel more secure in their purchases as the supply dwindles," said Ali Aboutaam, co-founder of Phoenix Ancient Art. "For this reason, values and prices of antiquities are continuing to rise. We believe that events like the Salon will help introduce art collectors to the field and will contribute to its growing popularity. More than 16,000 people attended the first Salon, and we anticipate just as many or more this year."

The Salon du Collectionneur was founded and organized by the Syndicat National des Antiquaires (SNA), the French Dealers' Association. The debut edition of the Salon took place in 2003 and enjoyed tremendous success with the public--collectors and exhibitors alike.

ABOUT PHOENIX ANCIENT ART

With galleries in New York City and Geneva, Switzerland, Phoenix Ancient Art (www.phoenixancientart.com) is one of the world's leading dealers in rare and exquisite antiquities from cultures that make up the essence of Western Civilization. Its works of art have been purchased by world-class museums around the world, as well as by private individuals. Formally incorporated in 1995, Phoenix Ancient Art is a second-generation family business that continues today under the leadership of his sons, Hicham Aboutaam and Ali Aboutaam, after being founded by their father, Sleiman, in 1968.