Southern Late Federal Walnut Jackson Press

Attributed to Tennessee, circa 1820-1840, poplar secondary, two part form, upper recessed bookcase with broken arched pediment and turned urn finials with applied rosettes, vertically veneered frieze, two hinged glazed doors with eight window lights each, fixed shelf interior in white paint, the lower case with two cock beaded drawers over two hinged paneled doors, shelved interior, applied trim to base on short turned feet.

101.75 x 44 x 23 in.

From the Historic Collection of Limestone University, Gaffney, South Carolina
Limestone College, now Limestone University, was founded in 1845 in Gaffney, South Carolina, by English-born Baptist minister Dr. Thomas Curtis and his son William. Originally established as the Limestone Springs Female High School, it was among the first women’s colleges in the nation and the very first in the state. The institution found its early roots in a former resort hotel near healing springs, later struggling due to the Civil War and Reconstruction. It revived in 1881 as the Cooper‑Limestone Institute, thanks to benefaction from industrialist Peter Cooper, and adopted the name Limestone College.

Back boards reset to top and bottom; some shrinkage cracks to veneer on frieze; later interior paint; drawer pulls are later with diamond shaped plug holes; missing drawer locks; lower right door with breaks and repair including central panel and upper right stile near hinge; case sides lacking inset waist trim and with vertical shrinkage cracks.