“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.
David Webb Black Enamel Diamond Clip-On and Pierced Earrings
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
A pair of diamond and enamel earclips, David Webb set with white enamel, accented by articulated shield-shaped panels, pave-set with round brilliant-cu...
Diamond, Enamel
David Webb Platinum & 18K Yellow Gold Emerald, Ruby and Diamond Clip Earrings
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
"Crafted in 18K gold and platinum; set with round brilliant-cut diamonds, weighing a total of approximately 1.90 carats, most with F-G color and VS clarity; oval cabochon rubies, mea...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
David Webb 18 Karat Yellow Gold Black Enamel Gold Spotted Earrings
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Vintage domed motif earclips, featuring black enamel with round gold spot accents, in 18k yellow gold. Stamped 'WEBB' Circa 1970s. Clip Earrings. Length: 25mm Width: 20mm.
Yellow Gold, Enamel
David Webb Enamel Fox Head Cufflink & Tie Tack Set in 18ky Gold with Certificate
By David Webb
Located in Philadelphia, PA
David Webb enamel fox head cufflink and tie tack set in textured 18k yellow gold, accompanied by a David Webb certificate of authenticity. The foxes in these pieces are a brownish...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
David Webb 18K Yellow Gold White Enamel Diamond Metro Clip Earrings
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Comes to us from Metro Collection, by David Webb these fabolous white enamel earrings are made in a shape of a shield. Accented with round cut diamonds make these earrings your out a...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
David Webb 18K Yellow Gold Large Dome Oval Button Clip Earrings
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Fall in love with these impressive David Webb yellow gold clip on earrings of a significant size. Impress everyone in the room when wearing these fantastic yellow gold earrings. Desi...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
David Webb Platinum & 18K Yellow Gold Oval Bombe Pave Diamond Earrings
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Perfect for everyday wear these oval dome pave set diamond earrings by David Webb, are somewhat settle and yet have enough glam for day to night wear. Fit perfectly on any ear compl...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
David Webb Yellow Gold Round Black Enamel Clip-On Earrings
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
These stunning round clip on Earrings by David Webb are in excellent vintage condition and have no visible damage and very little wear. They are black enamel with gold tone metal str...
Yellow Gold, Enamel