Phillip Bennett "Ben" Solomon

Phillip Bennett “Ben” Solomon , former curator of Decorative Arts at the Indianapolis Museum of Arts (Newfields) and owner of Solomon Jones Antiques (now Solomon Paris Antiques) for over 50 years, passed away peacefully in his beloved home surrounded by friends on Friday, July 11, 2025.

Ben was born in Marshall, Missouri on May 15, 1945. He was the beloved son of J.W. Solomon and Della M. (Dille) Solomon. Ben earned a B.A from Missouri Valley College. He came to Indianapolis as Curator of Decorative Arts for the Indianapolis Museum of Art in 1968. His first challenge was to edit each room of the Josiah K. Lilly home “Oldfields” for opening to the public. There he continued to build the museum’s decorative arts collection and was co-founder of the Decorative Arts Society which he was a Lifetime Member. Ben often lectured on furniture history and decorative arts. He taught “The History of Furniture” and “The History of Interior Design” at IUPUI from 1978-1989. Much of his career was dedicated to educating the general public about antiques.

As proprietor of Solomon Jones Antiques, Ben was the first dealer in Indianapolis to specialize in fine European antiques. Over the years his business grew to include interior design services and appraisal services for art and antiques. The depth of his knowledge of antiques and the decorative arts was reflected in his success. He was a lifelong learner and attended countless antique shows and educated himself on the values and provenance of antiques, paintings, prints, sculptures, china, crystal and silver.

Ben was well known for his ability to work in all traditional design styles and brought a scholarly knowledge to his work which graced many of Indianapolis’s finest homes. He was an associate member of the American Society of Appraisers and a member of the Mid-American Antique Appraisers Association. He attended the highly acclaimed English National Trust school at Attingham Park in Shropshire England and led many study groups through English country houses. For those fortunate enough to travel with Ben there was no better tour guide – especially if headed to any “English pile” and “poking around”.  Ben provided not just a history of the home but of the furnishings and how they showed the lifestyle of the day.

In addition to his professional life, Ben was a mentor, advocate and supporter of many Indianapolis associations. He served on the board of the Damien Center and The Cabaret.  He participated in the St. Margaret’s Guild Decorator’s Show House as well as the Methodist Hospital Antique Show.

Ben was a dear friend, mentor, advocate and community connector to his wide circle of friends. His diary was always full but there was always room for one more at the table to listen to his outrageous stories, parcels of useless but hilarious information and a little gossip with a twinkle in his eye. No one knew how to live on his wit and personality better than Ben – and he was adored by those who were fortunate enough to sit in his circle – and it was a very wide circle indeed.

He loved Cole Porter and the perfect evening would include a friend playing Cole Porter or a medley of Broadway tunes on the grand piano in his drawing room.  The bar was always open and the hospitality always flowing. Always the educator, Ben loved to draw all together by dropping a few fun facts about the antiques that filled his home.

“Rearranging friends, furniture, and lives” was Ben’s motto and he lived it to its fullest, all the way up to the end.

He is survived by his sister, Marilyn Solomon of Tamarac Florida and a legacy of dear friends who will always remember Ben with fond affection.

A private memorial will be held later. Memorial contributions can be made to The Cabaret.