About this sheet
Antique Botanical Print – Orchid Dendrobium Melanodiscus, c.1888
A beautifully executed chromolithograph of Dendrobium Melanodiscus, one of the more exotic and visually complex species of the Dendrobium genus, from the highly celebrated 19th-century botanical work Reichenbachia: Orchids Illustrated and Described (1888–1894). This large-format print features a lush spray of white, frilled orchid flowers with richly variegated markings in pink and deep yellow, centered around the plant’s characteristic dark disc at the throat of each bloom — a distinctive feature that gives the species its name.
The print shows a robust cluster of upright, reed-like pseudobulbs supporting multiple flowering stems. Each flower is rendered with exquisite delicacy: translucent white petals and sepals outlined in soft magenta, contrasted with lemon-yellow lips and inky central spots. The artist has captured the naturalistic textures of the leaves and stems, balancing accuracy with painterly elegance.
This striking image was drawn from life by botanical artist Henry Moon (1857–1905), whose name appears signed at the base. The chromolithography was executed by Gustav Leutzsch, one of the leading technicians responsible for the remarkable color quality seen throughout the Reichenbachia series. Under the direction of Henry Frederick Conrad Sander—nurseryman, publisher, and orchid collector—the Reichenbachia volumes represented the height of orchidology in the Victorian period.
Issued in limited numbers for an elite clientele of botanists and collectors, these prints remain highly desirable today for their artistry, rarity, and the remarkable diversity of orchids depicted. Dendrobium melanodiscus is particularly appreciated for its sculptural form and dramatic color contrasts.
Condition report:
Very good condition. Minor age toning and a few scattered spots in the margins. Colors clean and vivid. No tears or repairs. Blank verso.
Framing tips:
Pair with a dark wood or bronze frame and an ivory or sage green mat to enhance the botanical tones and provide contrast to the orchid’s luminous white and yellow hues.
Alternative 80-character title:
Orchid Botanical Print – Dendrobium melanodiscus, Antique Chromolithograph
