Numerous American museums continue to showcase antiquities linked to convicted dealer Ali Aboutaam, despite ongoing investigations into their provenance. The Metropolitan Museum of Art recently repatriated a Roman marble bust valued at nearly $5 million, among several other artifacts seized by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.
Controversy Surrounding Phoenix Ancient Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art confirmed in February that the Roman bust, along with eight additional artifacts from Phoenix Ancient Art, were taken as part of a broader investigation into the gallery's practices. These artifacts were claimed to have been legally acquired, yet their provenance has come under scrutiny.
According to the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, the seized artifacts, worth millions, have raised questions about how rigorously museums vet the origins of their collections. The Met spokesperson noted the ongoing concerns regarding the authenticity of the artifacts’ ownership histories.
Ali Aboutaam's Background and Business Practices
Born in 1965, Ali Aboutaam began his career in antiquities in Beirut, Lebanon, where he sold artifacts from a region rich in history. After the civil war disrupted business, he relocated to Canada, establishing Hermes Numismatique and later founding Phoenix Ancient Art in Geneva in 1995.
