David Webb Frog Ring
Vintage 1970s Brooches
Ruby, 18k Gold, Enamel
20th Century American Modern Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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Vintage 1980s American Brooches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Modern Brooches
Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
20th Century American Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Onyx, Cultured Pearl, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s Unknown Retro Brooches
Ruby, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s American Modern Dome Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Enamel
20th Century American Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Jade, Enamel, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
20th Century American Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
2010s American Solitaire Rings
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Vintage 1970s American Modern Link Necklaces
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20th Century French Modern Brooches
Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1960s American Modern Brooches
Aquamarine, Diamond, Sapphire, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1970s Retro Brooches
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, Enamel, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Brooches
18k Gold, Enamel
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21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Fashion Rings
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Ruby, 18k Gold, Enamel
Vintage 1980s American Band Rings
Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Fashion Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Enamel
Vintage 1980s American Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1970s Fashion Rings
Emerald, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s Unknown More Rings
18k Gold
Vintage 1980s American Fashion Rings
Vintage 1970s American Retro Cocktail Rings
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American More Rings
Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
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David Webb for sale on 1stDibs
“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.
Finding the Right rings for You
Antique and vintage rings have long held a special place in the hearts of fine jewelry lovers all over the world.
No matter their origin or specific characteristics, rings are timeless, versatile accessories. They’ve carried deep meaning since at least the Middle Ages, when diamond rings symbolized strength and other kinds of rings were worn to signify romantic feelings or to denote an affiliation with a religious order. Rings have also forever been emblematic of eternity.
Over time, rings have frequently taken the form of serpents, which have long been associated with eternal life, health and renewal. Italian luxury jewelry house Bulgari has become famous for its widely loved Serpenti motif, for example, and its Serpenti ring, like the other accessories in the collection, began as an homage to jewelry of the Roman and Hellenistic eras. The serpent is now a popular motif in fine jewelry. Jewelry devotees have long pined for rings adorned with reptiles, thanks to antique Victorian rings — well, specifically, Queen Victoria’s illustrious engagement ring, which took the form of a gold snake set with rubies, diamonds and an emerald (her birthstone). Designs for Victorian-era engagement rings often featured repoussé work and chasing, in which patterns are hammered into the metal.
Engagement rings, which are reliably intimidating to shop for, are still widely recognized as symbols of love and commitment. On 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement rings, vintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings.
The most collectible antique engagement rings and vintage engagement rings are those from the Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco eras. Named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who in succession ruled England starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign), antique Georgian rings, be they engagement rings or otherwise, are also coveted by collectors. Pearls, along with colored gemstones like garnets, rubies and sapphires, were widely used in Georgian jewelry. The late-1700s paste jewelry was a predecessor to what we now call fashion or costume jewelry.
The Art Nouveau movement (1880–1910) brought with it rings inspired by the natural world. Antique Art Nouveau rings might feature depictions of winged insects and fauna as well as women, who were simultaneously eroticized and romanticized, frequently with long flowing hair. Art Deco jewelry, on the other hand, which originated during the 1920s and ’30s, is by and large “white jewelry.” White metals, primarily platinum, were favored over yellow gold in the design of antique Art Deco rings and other accessories as well as geometric motifs, with women drawn to the era’s dazzling cocktail rings in particular.
Whether you’re hunting down a chunky classic for a Prohibition-themed cocktail party or seeking a clean contemporary design to complement your casual ensemble, find an exquisite collection of antique, new and vintage rings on 1stDibs.