Pair of Large Paris Porcelain Gilt Ground Campagana Urns

Second quarter 19th century, two-part forms, both unsigned, each hand-painted with unique floral still life to one side, and the opposite side depicting a scenic garden view, between dual acanthus scroll form handles, the gilt ground decorated with peacock feather, palmette, and laurel motifs, atop a faux marble painted base.

23 x 15 1/4 x 15 1/4 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.

One with cracks and glued repairs through the upper body along with scattered hairlines visible to the interior; the other with filled repairs along the rim; both with areas rubbing to gilt and painted surfaces, areas of later paint and gilt.