Latest news with #PhoenixAncientArt
Web Release
08-07-2025
- Business
- Web Release
Antiquities Under Scrutiny: Between Legal Complexities and the Ethics of Cultural Exchange
In an era of increasing scrutiny and regulatory pressure, the world of antiquities is finding itself at a historic crossroads. A recent investigative report by Alice Boustany Djermakian, titled 'Antiquities: Between Legal Challenges and the Noble Mission of Cultural Exchange,' delves into the often controversial debate surrounding the legal and ethical dimensions of historical artifacts in private and institutional collections. At the heart of the investigation lies the case of Phoenix Ancient Art, a Geneva-based gallery frequently cited by international media as one of the most influential players in the global antiquities market. The gallery has long faced questions regarding the provenance of its collection issues that resonate across the entire sector. However, recent judicial investigations by Swiss authorities have validated the legality of nearly all works held in Phoenix Ancient Art's Geneva holdings, marking a significant development in the case and in the broader dialogue around cultural property. The report includes exclusive interviews with prominent experts such as Jacques Chamay, former curator at Geneva's Museum of Art and History; Lebanese attorney May Azouri; and Rony Araygi, former Minister of Culture in Lebanon. Their perspectives offer valuable insight into the nuances of legality, heritage preservation, and the need for greater transparency in the art market. The findings are further supported by a RAND Corporation study, which cautions against overgeneralization in discussions of the illicit antiquities trade and highlights the lack of definitive evidence underpinning many claims. As the European Union intensifies regulations on antiquities imports, the investigation predicts ripple effects throughout the global market, raising questions about how to strike a balance between heritage protection and the cultural value of legitimate exchange. Djermakian ultimately calls for international legal harmonization as the only realistic path forward, ensuring that antiquities can be responsibly shared, appreciated, and preserved across borders without compromising their historical integrity. Read the full investigation:
Associated Press
18-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Qatar Investment Receives Summary Judgment Based on Procedural Technicality, Not Merit, Against Phoenix Ancient Art
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK / ACCESS Newswire / April 18, 2025 / In a deeply disappointing turn of events, Phoenix Ancient Art has been handed a summary judgment loss in ongoing litigation with QIPCO (Qatar Investment and Project Development Holding Company), not due to the substance of the case, but solely on procedural grounds. The court's decision was based on a technical hurdle relating to disclosure which resulted in the exclusion of all of Phoenix's evidence, testimony, and documents. As a result, the judgment was entered without consideration of the compelling proof Phoenix provided throughout the five-year legal battle. The litigation stems from QIPCO's 2020 claims questioning the authenticity of two stone sculptures which was ignited by the unqualified opinion of a British metallurgist: A Byzantine Chalcedony Statuette of Nike A Greek Marble Head of Alexander the Great These claims were dismantled, both by scientific proof, as well as the court's dismissal of the Alexander claim. Despite the fact that Phoenix had submitted extensive expert analysis supporting its argument (evidence that was not challenged by any expert from QIPCO), the court's recent ruling struck out Phoenix's comprehensive defense - which was submitted to the court and includes: Museum exhibition records from one of the biggest museums in the world and independent expert opinions Scientific authentication reports from the most respectable lab in the world including 14 samples on one of them alone Testimony from previous owners with original purchase invoices (dating back as far as 1968) In 2023, three years after after the original litigation, Qatar Investment produced a new complaint to include allegations of fraudulent misrepresentation, reintroducing a previously dismissed piece and adding a new one (i.e.: A Roman Chalcedony Phalera). The amendment relied heavily on speculative interpretations rather than facts. Despite Phoenix's offer to voluntarily provide 100,000 documents from its disclosure database to QIPCO (all its potentially relevant documents in possession, including documents that were already produced in the 2020 disclosure exercise and at the time of purchase)- showing transparency and nothing to hide - the court accepted QIPCO's argument for Phoenix to undergo a prohibitively costly document-by-document legal review. This financial barrier became the sole reason for Phoenix not completing the disclosure exercise which led to the court's exclusion of Phoenix's evidence and the resulting judgment. Phoenix Ancient Art has served as a trusted source of antiquities for over 50 years, with its artworks housed in leading institutions such as The Louvre, The Getty Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and prestigious university museums including Princeton, Harvard, Yale, and Emory. Museum publications have featured Phoenix pieces on their covers - underscoring the gallery's integrity, scholarship, and the cultural importance of its collection. To this day, Phoenix Ancient Art remains proud to have placed 23 major antiquities in the QIPCO / Al Thani Collection. 'This is not justice,' said a spokesperson for Phoenix Ancient Art. 'It's a technical knockout - not a judgment on truth, merit, or evidence. The value, authenticity, and historical significance of these artworks are beyond dispute, and we stand by the rigorous research and provenance behind every piece.' This technicality meant that QIPCO did not have to prove what they have alleged. Phoenix Ancient Art will continue to explore all legal avenues to challenge this decision and defend its reputation in the art world. Contact Information Hicham Aboutaam President of Electrum [email protected] +2122887518 SOURCE: Phoenix Ancient Art press release
