In the early 1870s, Edward C. Moore, Tiffany's head designer, established one of America's first design schools. It was here that he cultivated in his students an interest in rare and exotic flowers, such as orchids. One of his most talented botanical artists was Paulding Farnham, who at the age of 29 won the gold medal at the 1889 Paris Exposition Universelle for his series of 24 enamel and gem-set orchid jewels in the Tiffany display. Following this success, he exhibited forty orchid brooches at their New York store in 1890.

Tiffany clients were among the many affluent American orchid collectors who went to great lengths to find rare and expensive species. In an effort to create life-like replicas for an educated clientele, Tiffany imported specimens from around the world, including India, Brazil, Indonesia and Burma; one such example is the orchid featured above. This rare species, known as an Odontoglossum, originated in the high, cool elevations of the Andes in Columbia and Venezuela.

Gustave Stickley, a leader in the American Arts & Crafts movement wrote in The Studio (April 1889), 'It is certain that these orchids were very remarkable illustrations of the jeweler's art, and were worthy of the admiration they excited.'

Cf. J. Loring, Tiffany Jewels, Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Japan, 1999, pp. 109, for a drawing from 1980 of five stickpins by Paulding Farnham, including No. 150 of an Odontoglossum

Cf. J. Loring, Tiffany Flora, Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Japan, 2003, pp. 73