A Group of Five Decorative Boxes

19th/20th Century

comprising a lapis lazuli box, a green tortoiseshell box and three others.
Width of widest 6 inches.

Property from the Estate of Frank McIntosh, Greenport, New York

Frank J. McIntosh, homeware and accessories merchant and merchandiser, entered the New York retail scene in the early 1950s as the protégé of philanthropist and socialite Pauline Vandervoort Hoving, wife of Walter Hoving, chairman of the board of Tiffany & Co., with whom he traveled the world attending trade shows and honing his eye for fashion and the decorative arts. He was later hired by Henri Bendel as a merchandiser, where he was tasked with creating displays for the luxury retailer's famed "Street of Shops." In this role, McIntosh is credited as having introduced numerous renowned designers to the American retail market, including Fendi, Bottega Veneta, Karl Springer, Alessi and others.

McIntosh gradually transitioned into the tableware sector in the 1970s and established his own company in a leased partnership with Henri Bendel, which he eventually expanded to several other cities around the country. A pioneer in the world of tableware and home accessories, McIntosh’s eponymous line presented an eclectic array of accessible yet sophisticated table settings. Among his most noted designs were table linens manufactured in the United States and abroad. Numerous items from Frank McIntosh's personal collection of furniture and decorative arts are included throughout this auction.

In fair and stable condition overall. The green example having lifting, flaking and loss to the shell veneer, particularly around the edges and to the top of the lid. The lapis lazuli example with foggy and dull portions from dirt and grime. The other three examples having surface wear in the form of debris, light marks and scratches from age and handling. The smallest example with some inclusions throughout. Additional images available upon request.

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Chicago Collections

A Group of Five Decorative Boxes

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