“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.
| Average Sold Price |
| $21,019 |
| Styles |
| Related Creators |
David Webb 18K Yellow Gold Ring. 0.60ct Diamond Ruby Black White Enamel Zebra
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Designer: David Webb Primary Stones: Diamonds, Rubies Total Diamond Weight: Approx 0.60 Carats Ruby Cut: Cabochon Accent Details: Black and White Enamel Zebra Motif ...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
David Webb Gold 18 Karat Green Enamel Frog Clip-On Animal Fauna Earrings
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Playful yet unmistakably luxurious, these David Webb frog earrings are crafted in richly textured 18K yellow gold and vividly decorated with deep green enamel throughout the body. De...
Gold, Enamel, 18k Gold
$27,600Sale Price|20% Off
DAVID WEBB Black Enameled Cocktail Ring In 18Kt Gold With 3.96 Cwt. VVS Diamonds
By David Webb
Located in Miami, FL
A geometric black enameled cocktail ring designed by David Webb (1925-1975). An outstanding cocktail ring created in New York City at the atelier of David Webb, circa 1980. This bol...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Enamel, 18k Gold
David Webb 18K Yellow Gold Purple Chalcedony Carved Beads Rock Crystal Necklace
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
An exceptional vintage David Webb necklace crafted in 18K yellow gold, showcasing a striking composition of carved purple chalcedony beads paired with dramatic black enamel accents. ...
Chalcedony, Crystal, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
David Webb Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire and Diamond 18K Gold Brooch, 1980s
By David Webb
Located in Roma, RM
A bold and unmistakably sculptural creation by David Webb, this extraordinary brooch captures the exuberant glamour and architectural presence that define the maison’s most collectib...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
David Webb Black Enamel, Pearl and Diamond Brooch, 1980s
By David Webb
Located in Roma, RM
Boldly sculptural and unmistakably iconic, this striking brooch by David Webb embodies the dramatic glamour for which the American house is celebrated. Created in the 1980s, the desi...
Pearl, Diamond, Enamel
David Webb Frog 18K Yellow Gold Double Head Clamper Cuff Bangle Bracelet
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Bold, playful, and unmistakably David Webb, this exceptional double frog cuff bracelet is crafted in textured 18K yellow gold and designed with two sculptural green enamel frogs faci...
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Enamel, 18k Gold
David Webb Emerald Enamel 18k Yellow Gold Rams Head Cufflinks
By David Webb
Located in Towson, MD
Command attention with these extraordinary estate David Webb 18-karat gold ram’s head cufflinks—an iconic example of bold American mid-century design from one of the most celebrated ...
Emerald, Yellow Gold, Enamel
| Sold Date | Sold Price | Category | Material | Creation Year | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| $21,019 |
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months |
| $3,000-$73,000 |
| Sold price range of items in the past 12 months |
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