Phoenix Ancient Art is considered by many specialists in the field to be the world’s leading dealer in rare and exquisite antiquities.

C. Michael Hedqvist joined Phoenix Ancient Art in 2000 as Managing Director in Geneva. He received a degree in Economics and Literature at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, before a successful career in international sales and marketing. He was also sponsored for an executive business degree at IMD business school in Lausanne, Switzerland. Michael manages a staff of five and oversees the operations of the Geneva galleries and the participating European art fairs. He was heavily involved with the launch of Phoenix Ancient Art’s website in 2005, marking the gallery’s presence at the high end of the antiquities trade on the internet and international scene. Over the last twenty years, Michael has been instrumental in developing relationships and conducting sales in Europe, including prestigious private collections and institutions, as well as contributing to important sales to the world’s museums.

Brenno Bottini joined Phoenix Ancient Art in 1995 as Chief Curator, the same year as the inauguration of the Geneva gallery at 6, rue Verdaine. He received a degree in Classical Archaeology from the University of Geneva and specializes in ancient art from the Mediterranean world, as well as Near Eastern and Egyptian art. He became an assistant professor in 1984 and taught at the University for 7 years. Brenno has authored numerous publications in collaboration with the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire in Geneva, and hundreds of research papers including several seen in each of the scholarly publications by Phoenix Ancient Art.

Virginie joined Phoenix Ancient Art in 2012 as Curator of the Geneva gallery under the guidance of Brenno Bottini. She received her degree in Classical Archaeology from the University of Geneva and has a specialty in Greek vases and terracottas. In 2014, Virginie was instrumental in the opening of the second Geneva gallery, Young Collectors, where she prepares annual exhibitions, along with those at the main gallery. She works closely with the rest of the team on all of the research and preparations for numerous European art fairs, including in Geneva, Brussels, Paris, and London.

Hicham Aboutaam is the co-founder of Phoenix Ancient Art and the owner of Electrum, the exclusive agent in New York. He attended the University of Michigan where he earned a degree in art history before joining Ali and Sleiman in the family business. As Hicham recalls when he was a kid, “My mother would tell my father, it’s time to go to sleep, would you please remove that head from our bed?” Hicham grew up surrounded by antiquities and built a strong passion for gems and seals at a very young age. Sleiman would talk openly about the various objects he handled and would take Hicham and Ali on business trips. Every trip was a learning experience about the world of antiquities and to this day Hicham tries to share his vast knowledge of ancient art on every occasion. In addition to working with renowned museums and established collectors, Hicham enjoys educating and advising aspiring collectors.

Alexander Gherardi joined Electrum, the exclusive agent for Phoenix Ancient Art in 2008. He received a degree in Business and Economics from Stony Brook University in New York. His first large project with Electrum was launching the e-commerce website, www.e-Tiquities.com in 2009. Alex manages a staff of seven and oversees the operations of the New York gallery and the participating American art fairs. He has established several important relationships with American collections and museums on both the East and West coasts and has played an integral part of many of the gallery’s major sales. Alex has taken a special interest in Cycladic idols, particularly for their simplicity and form.

Dr. Alexander V. Kruglov joined Electrum, the exclusive agent for Phoenix Ancient Art in 2013 as the Chief Curator in New York. He received his Ph.D in art history from the State University of St. Petersburg, Russia and was formerly the curator of sculpture in the department of Classical Art at the State Hermitage Museum. He worked there for 30 years and specializes in Greek and Roman Art. Alexander, better known as Sasha at the gallery, was part of 8 international research fellowships including at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, National Gallery, Washington, D.C., and the J. Paul Getty Museum. He has authored several publications and is instrumental in the organization of the themed exhibitions at Electrum.