“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.
Vintage David Webb Jewellery Box with Outer Box, New York
By David Webb
Located in Braintree, GB
Vintage David Webb presentation box in black suede, signed David Webb Inc. New York to the silk lid, retaining its printed outer card box. David Webb built his reputation in New Yor...
Vintage 1950s David Webb Gold Clutch with 10.00 Carat Ruby and Diamonds
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k with a carved Ruby weighing approximately 10.00 carats, 44 Round Brilliant cut Diamonds weighing approximately a total of 4.00 carats, and a mirror. Signed by D...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage Rolex Watch Presentation Box, Circa 1930s to 1950s
By Rolex
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage Rolex watch presentation box dating circa 1930s to 1950s. A genuine period Rolex box, ideal for the display or storage of a vintage Rolex wristwatch. Dimensions External: ...
Other
Cartier Vintage 18K Case Box, Unisex Collectors Item
By Cartier
Located in Bangkok, Thailand
A collectors item. Signature: Cartier Paris, French assay marks Metal: 18 karat yellow gold Dimensions: 4.0cm x 2.7cm x 0.8cm Gross weight: 19.4g
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$368Sale Price|20% Off
W 1.25 in L 5.3 in
Vintage Bulgari White Leather Keychain with Metal Accents, Like New
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
A Stylish Fusion of Functionality and Refined Italian Craftsmanship Add a touch of luxury to your everyday essentials with this Vintage Bulgari Keychain, meticulously fashioned in wh...
Base Metal
Vintage Canadian 14 Carat Gold Box, Circa 1935
Located in London, GB
A vintage, 14ct gold box, with four, engine turned sides, alternating with a ribbon and wreath pattern on the cut corners, terminating with reeded bars called "ribbon and reed" patte...
Gold
Enamel Box with Diamond and Rubies Handcrafted in 18 Karat Gold
By Jay Rawat
Located in Jaipur, IN
A beautiful box with fine enamel work studded with Diamonds and Rubies. Similar enamel work can be seen in Indian and Mughal jewellery from centuries ag...
Ruby, Diamond, Enamel, 18k Gold, Gold
Cartier Gold Retro Box with Sapphire Clasp
By Cartier
Located in Darnestown, MD
Elegant 14 karat gold minaudiere by Cartier from the 1940's. This Retro piece has a double zig zag design on all surfaces. The clasp is a cabochon sapphire. The box measures 2 7/8 i...
Sapphire, 14k Gold
1950s Cartier Vintage Gold Eight Day Desk Clock
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
This aesthetically captivating authentic circa 1950 Cartier eight-day desk clock is made with a solid 14K yellow gold case. It is rendered in artfully textured gold, adding a glitter...
14k Gold, Gold
Mario Buccellati Vintage Diamond Gold Compact Box
By Mario Buccellati
Located in Miami, FL
This Mario Buccellati vintage diamond 18K yellow gold compact box from 1940's features a diamond accent closure in 18K white gold with rose-cut diam...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
Vintage Dark Blue Rectangular Ring Box with Cream Satin and Velvet Lining
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
A vintage ring box covered with the original navy-blue leather effect fabric. It is rectangular in shape, with rounded corners. It opens on a hinge and flips up from front to back, r...
Cazzaniga 1980's Gold Diamond Sapphire Ruby Locket Box
By Cazzaniga
Located in Roma, RM
An extraordinary and highly decorative locket box by Cazzaniga, dating to the 1980s and showcasing the maison’s unmistakable craftsmanship and artistic identity. This remarkable pie...
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold
Vintage Burgundy Garrard & Co Brooch Box, with Ivory Satin & Red Velvet Interior
By Garrard & Co. Ltd.
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
A vintage jewellery box covered with the original dark red leatherette, with a plain gilded border, with further decorative gold tooled border. It is rectangular in shape, which by w...
Antique Royal Blue Velvet Rectangular Jewellery Box, Cream Velvet & Silk Lining
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
An Antique jewellery box covered with the original vibrant Royal blue velvet material. The box is rectangular in shape, opens on a hinge with a push-button, and flips up from front t...
Vintage David Webb Earring Box with Outer Box, New York
By David Webb
Located in Braintree, GB
Vintage David Webb earring presentation box in black suede, signed David Webb Inc. New York to the silk lid, retaining its printed outer card box. The case is the flatter of the two...