David Webb Beaded Necklaces
“Women are tired of jewelry-looking jewelry,” celebrated American designer David Webb once noted. In response, he created a menagerie of whimsical animals rendered as rings, brooches, earrings and, especially, bangle bracelets. This playfulness permeates all Webb’s work, which is characterized by brightly hued enamel and color-saturated semiprecious stones like coral, azurmalachite and turquoise, the notable exception being the clear, elegant rock crystal for which he had an affinity.
The North Carolina native apprenticed with his uncle, a silversmith, before moving to New York, where he established David Webb Inc. in 1948. He had no formal training in jewelry design. Instead, he culled inspiration from the ornamental styles of ancient Greece, Mesopotamia, Egypt and the Americas, as well as the traditions of India and China — influences discernible in such pieces as his collar necklaces and talisman-like sautoirs.
Webb’s first animal bracelet was produced in 1957. His most famous, the zebra, took shape in 1963; its stripes now form the company’s logo. Although Webb died in 1975, his company continues to produce designs drawn from his extensive archives, and every piece is still made in the workshop above its Madison Avenue store.
Find an alluring collection of David Webb jewelry on 1stDibs, including earrings, brooches and other accessories.
Late 20th Century American David Webb Beaded Necklaces
Coral, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s American Vintage David Webb Beaded Necklaces
Coral, 18k Gold
20th Century American Modern David Webb Beaded Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
20th Century American David Webb Beaded Necklaces
Turquoise, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American David Webb Beaded Necklaces
Crystal, Onyx, Pearl, Rock Crystal, Platinum, 18k Gold
1980s American Vintage David Webb Beaded Necklaces
Coral
1980s American Vintage David Webb Beaded Necklaces
Coral, Yellow Gold, Enamel
20th Century David Webb Beaded Necklaces
Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Modern David Webb Beaded Necklaces
Coral, Onyx, Yellow Gold, Platinum
20th Century American Modern David Webb Beaded Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Vintage David Webb Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary David Webb Beaded Necklaces
Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Italian Retro Vintage David Webb Beaded Necklaces
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary David Webb Beaded Necklaces
Coral, White Diamond
21st Century and Contemporary David Webb Beaded Necklaces
Onyx, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Unknown Modern Vintage David Webb Beaded Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Modern Vintage David Webb Beaded Necklaces
Coral, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary David Webb Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Garnet, Base Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern David Webb Beaded Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Sterling Silver
1980s Contemporary Vintage David Webb Beaded Necklaces
Crystal, Onyx, Quartz, Rock Crystal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1970s Contemporary Vintage David Webb Beaded Necklaces
Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American David Webb Beaded Necklaces
Onyx, Quartz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American David Webb Beaded Necklaces
Coral, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Modern David Webb Beaded Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
1960s Contemporary Vintage David Webb Beaded Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Vintage David Webb Beaded Necklaces
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Vintage David Webb Beaded Necklaces
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s American Vintage David Webb Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Platinum, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s American David Webb Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum
1960s American Vintage David Webb Beaded Necklaces
Amethyst, 18k Gold
A hammered 18k gold boule clasp.
Signed "David Web...
20th Century American David Webb Beaded Necklaces
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold