David Webb Decorative Objects
“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 David Webb Decorative Objects
Other
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique David Webb Decorative Objects
Enamel, Sterling Silver
1960s English Art Deco Vintage David Webb Decorative Objects
Silver, Sterling Silver
1930s British Art Deco Vintage David Webb Decorative Objects
Silver, Enamel
1930s English Art Deco Vintage David Webb Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage David Webb Decorative Objects
Metal
1920s French Art Deco Vintage David Webb Decorative Objects
Silver, Enamel
1880s Swiss Black Forest Antique David Webb Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 19th Century Victorian Antique David Webb Decorative Objects
Wood
Late 20th Century Philippine Post-Modern David Webb Decorative Objects
Stone, Marble, Brass
20th Century Chinese Art Deco David Webb Decorative Objects
Bone
Late 19th Century Italian Gothic Antique David Webb Decorative Objects
Bronze, Iron
1910s English Edwardian Vintage David Webb Decorative Objects
Silver