Antiquity Opens its Jewel Box

Archeology - The Galerie Phoenix hosts Geneva's Exhibition of the Year. [translated from Tribune de Geneve]

Étienne Dumont

Set up for some ten years on three floors in the rue Verdaine, the Galerie Phoenix has become a jewel box. It is exhibiting some one hundred pieces of jewelry and ornamental metal ware, ranging from the obscurity of pre-history to the first glimmerings of the Islamic dawn.

"The pieces on exhibit were collected by the Aboutaam family over more than thirty-five years," explained Michael Hedquist. Why show it now? "In order to present, using the most beautiful possible examples, works illustrating the artistic talents of the metal workers of yore. Even the Iron Age produced incredible feats. For example, in this bronze fibula, the central spiral consists of a single wire, stretched out over several meters, then rolled."

"It must be noted that these Greek, Roman or Phoenician masterpieces were created without taking the cost of labor into account," added Ali Aboutaam. "Specialists can tell you that. Hundreds and hundreds of hours would be needed to hammer out a complete section on a single, thick sheet of gold or silver, with its ornamentation in relief. Far too many for the age we live in!"

What should we think of this anthology, of which everything, with the exception of three rings, is for sale? Only the viewer's taste can make that decision. From the classic perfection of the Greek rython (drinking flask) from the 5th century B.C. to the nearly barbaric earrings for the Byzantine empress, nearly barbaric, there exists an entire universe. The purists will admire the Egyptian predynastic golden cup. Maximalists will prefer the hefty Scythian necklace, studded with amethysts. "The object was deemed so precious that it had already been repaired in ancient times."

But, in fact, where did these marvels come from? From ancient collections, recently dispersed, or family collections. "We have even bought works which we had sold in the past. We welcome them as old friends."

» 6,000 YEARS OF JEWELS

Phoenix Ancient Art, 6, rue Verdaine, Geneva,
Tel.: 022 318.80.10
Web site: www.phoenixancientart.com

Open from Monday to Friday from 10:30 to 6:30PM
Till June 3.

Above image: Rython [Drinking flask] Spout. Gilded silver, Greece, 5th - 4th Century BC. (DR)