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Brooch

Designer Paulding Farnham American
Manufacturer Tiffany & Co.

1889–96

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 706

This extraordinary brooch is one of a small group of enameled and jeweled orchids first designed by G. Paulding Farnham for Tiffany & Co.’s display at the 1889 Paris Exposition Universelle. Fashioned with remarkable botanical accuracy to resemble a rare species of orchid called Oncidium jonesianum, it displays the novelty and impeccable craftsmanship that drew such wide acclaim at the Paris fair. Farnham’s exhibit was singled out for its "fertility of imagination and power of invention" and helped to win a gold medal in jewelry for the company—the first such award ever achieved by an American firm. Not only were these naturalistic blooms exquisite and highly original, but their invention paralleled a growing passion for cultivating exotic orchids. Indeed, Tiffany designers had access not only to illustrated books on orchids, but also to actual specimens purchased for the design studio.

Brooch, Paulding Farnham (1859–1927), Gold, diamonds, and enamel, American — Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Brooch, Paulding Farnham (1859–1927), Gold, diamonds, and enamel, American

Brooch, Paulding Farnham (1859–1927), Gold, diamonds, and enamel, American

Brooch, Paulding Farnham (1859–1927), Gold, diamonds, and enamel, American

Brooch, Paulding Farnham (1859–1927), Gold, diamonds, and enamel, American

Brooch, Paulding Farnham (1859–1927), Gold, diamonds, and enamel, American

Brooch, Paulding Farnham (1859–1927), Gold, diamonds, and enamel, American

Brooch, Paulding Farnham (1859–1927), Gold, diamonds, and enamel, American

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Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: Brooch

Designer: Paulding Farnham (1859–1927)

Manufacturer: Tiffany & Co. (1837–present)

Date: 1889–96

Geography: Designed in New York, New York, United States

Culture: American

Medium: Gold, diamonds, and enamel

Dimensions: Brooch: 4 1/4 × 2 1/2 in. (10.8 × 6.4 cm)
Box: 2 1/4 × 5 3/4 × 4 in. (5.7 × 14.6 × 10.2 cm)

Credit Line: Gift of Linda B. Brandi, in memory of Isabel Shults, 2016

Accession Number: 2016.739

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The American Wing at The Met

The American Wing's ever-evolving collection comprises some 20,000 works by African American, Euro American, Native American, and Latin American artists, ranging from the colonial to early-modern period.