David Webb
“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 |
$14,854 |
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Related Creators |
20th Century American Modern David Webb
Rock Crystal, Pearl, Diamond, Crystal, Enamel, Platinum, White Gold, 18k...
1980s American Vintage David Webb
Diamond, 18k Gold
20th Century American Modern David Webb
Diamond, Coral, 18k Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Modern David Webb
Turquoise, Diamond, Platinum, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century American Modern David Webb
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1980s American Modern Vintage David Webb
Diamond, Amethyst, Enamel, Platinum, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary David Webb
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum, Enamel
Late 20th Century American Modern David Webb
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
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