Millicent Ford Creech has been brokering fine antiques since 1993.   She offers 17^th - early 19^th century furniture, ceramics, and silver, as well as exceptional fine art by known American and European painters.  She is the sole owner of M. Ford Creech Antiques & Fine Arts in Memphis, Tennessee, which is regarded as one of the leading small galleries in the United States, not only for its content, but the scope of merchandise offered.  The gallery is recommended by Art & Antiques (vetted edition), and by Antiques & Fine Arts, including The Red Guide.  Ms. Creech is known internationally for her selectivity, knowledge and preciseness. Most inventory is quite special in some aspect. All inventory is solely owned.  

Ms. Creech is a native of Memphis, returning home in 1996, after a 35-year absence.  During that absence, she gained national recognition as a portrait artist.  That recognition includes the Metropolitan Museum Award through Catherine Lorillard Wolf at the National Arts Club, NYC, selection as one of the 20 top portraitists in America, and several museum exhibitions.  Commissions have included the families endowing major museums, a curator of American art at the Metropolitan Museum, NYC, and many well-known American dignitaries and their families.  Her waiting list usually ranged three to five years, and fees awarded for her work, to the mid five figures. 

In 1989, to expand her life-long interest in 18^th century antiques and decorative arts, Ms. Creech began formal training in 18^th century British furniture, studying the Sotheby's Furniture and Decorative Arts accredited course with a Sotheby's associate for three years.  Although the intent was pleasure and enrichment, she inadvertently found a passion equal to the fine arts.  She sought out further intensive instruction and tutorage internationally with some of the world’s leading experts in furniture and decorative arts, as well as in the auction and retail arenas.  The result is a unique combination of both the visual standpoint of an accomplished artist, and the intellectual and historical aspects of a love of learning.  The growing demand for her expertise and services, as well as her growing passion for the field, brought about her retirement from painting in 2003, and the opening of a private gallery in 2004. Since that time, the gallery has received national recognition, and almost sold out on several occasions.

Ms. Creech is known not only for the extent and depth of her knowledge, but the thoroughness with which all purchases are made – or recommended. Several weeks of research can go into one small object - connecting it with history, verifying its authenticity, and assessing the quality of artistry.  This is clearly evidenced in her written descriptive material, available for customers, both online and in the gallery. 

Gallery Hours: Wed.- Sat. 11-6, with extended holiday hours. Private appointments are welcome upon request.

Additional Gallery Services:

·    Private searches for specialized 18^th century collections, for both individuals and designers

·    We purchase antiques and fine arts within our areas of concentration, with quality and condition criteria.  

·    Appraisal and evaluation services.

·    Restoration guidance (see Links Page)

·    Shipping referral (see Links Page)

·    Complimentary referral services for clients wishing to deaccess.

 

            Related activities have included:

·    Frequent consultant and cataloguer for national auction houses.

·    Frequent lecturer and speaker for leading museums, antique shows, and private collector organizations - both in the visual (fine) arts, and furniture and decorative arts.

                    ·    Contributor for several antiques periodicals; field consultant and contributing writer for Art & Antiques Magazine

 

                    ·    Numerous fine art awards, including Metropolitan Museum Award, NYC; Catherine Lorillard Arts Club, NYC

 

              ·    Elected to Marquis Who's Who in American Women, Who’s Who in America, Who’s

                   Who in the World, for accomplishments in the fields of Fine Arts, as well as Decorative

                   Arts, both as an artist, and as a broker for fine arts and fine antiques.

·    Literature: Art and Antiques Magazine (various, including The Insider Guide); Antiques and Fine Arts; The Red Guide; Who's Who (Marquis); Lifestyles Magazine (cover article); Mid-South Living; At Home Magazine; Memphis Magazine; Artists and Galleries of the South;  Louisville Magazine; Art Direction; CA Magazine; numerous newspaper feature articles.

 

·    Published articles: Art and Antiques Magazine; At Home Magazine; Artists and Galleries of the South.