“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.
$80,000Sale Price|36% Off
David Webb Rock Crystal and Turquoise Desk Object
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
David Webb Rock Crystal and Turquoise Desk Object A natural rock crystal quartz point decorated with gold rope twist strands, bows, and a gold branch section, adorned with 12 turqu...
Rock Crystal, Turquoise, 18k Gold
Cartier Art Deco Sterling Silver and Enamel Miniature Desk Timepiece circa 1920s
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful miniature desk timepiece, rectangular case with blue enamel, accented by silver bands, centering a circular brushed silvered dial with gilt Arabic numerals, dial signed Cartier, case signed European Watch and Clock...
Sterling Silver
Cartier Mother of Pearl, Rock Crystal and Agate Desk Clock
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
This Cartier Mother of Pearl, Rock Crystal and Agate Desk Clock is of French Origin, and dates back to the 1980s. SKU#W-00755
Agate, Rock Crystal
Van Cleef & Arpels Gold & Turquoise Desk Clock
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef & Arpels Gold & Turquoise Desk Clock Adorn your space with this exquisite Van Cleef & Arpels Gold & Turquoise Desk Clock, a masterful combination of elegance and functiona...
Diamond, Turquoise, Gold
Tiffany & Co. Art Deco Leather Bound 8 Day Travel and Desk Clock
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Concord for Tiffany & Co. STYLE / REFERENCE: 8 Day Leather Travel Clock METAL / MATERIAL: Red Leather CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMEN...
Faberge Rock Crystal Gold Inkwell
By Fabergé
Located in London, GB
A Fabergé gold and rock crystal inkwell, the lobed rock-crystal body carved with bombe' sides, the hinged gold cover also lobed and surmounted with a cabochon sapphire, marked Faberg...
Rock Crystal, Blue Sapphire, Gold
Faberge Gold, Enamel and Hardstone Desk Seal
By Fabergé
Located in London, GB
A Fabergé gold, enamel and hardstone desk seal, workmaster Henrik Wigström, St Petersburg, 1904-1908 the spherical handle carved of aventurine quartz, the co...
Carnelian, Quartz, Gold, Enamel
1930s Shreve and Company Art Deco Desk Clock
By Shreve & Co.
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Shreve and Company San Francisco STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Glass, Gilt and Nickel METAL / MATERIAL: CIRCA / YEAR: D...
Gilt Metal, Mixed Metal
Bucherer Stone and Metal Art Deco Desk Clock with Original Dial 1930's
By Bucherer
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Bucherer Jewelers STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Desk Clock METAL / MATERIAL: Stone and Nickel Finished Metal CIRCA / YEAR: 1930's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 6 Inches X 6 Inches MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 15 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: Original Two Tone Silvered with Art Deco Numbers / Original Blued Steel Hands WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This unique desk clock was produced by the renowned Swiss House of Bucherer. it is perhaps the most famous of the Swiss Houses. You will find a Bucherer in every major city in Switzerland. This piece is entirely handmade in stone and the dial is completely original. We have never seen this unusual clock...
$3,850Sale Price / set|20% Off
L 9 in
Liberty & Co Turquoise Cymric Pattern Six Piece Dresser Set 1903 Sterling Silver
By Liberty & Co.
Located in New York, NY
This is a gorgeous and very rare Museum Quality Liberty & Co. Sterling Silver and Turquoise Cymric Pattern Six-Piece Dresser Set from the estate of legendary philanthropist and c...
Turquoise, Silver, Sterling Silver
Cartier Mystery Prism Desk Clock
By Cartier
Located in New York City, NY
The Cartier Mystery Prism Desk Clock is a testament to the brand's commitment to both horological excellence and artistic design. Cartier, renowned for its luxury timepieces and jewelry, created this desk clock as a distinctive and elegant addition to their collection. Cartier Prism...
Cartier Sterling Silver Desk Clock with Kiln Fired Enameling and Original Dial
By Cartier
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Cartier Jewelers STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Desk Clock METAL / MATERIAL: Sterling Silver with Kiln Fired Enamel Bezel CIRCA / YEAR: 1920-30's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Hei...
Art Deco Mappin & Webb Travel Clock with Folding Case Kienzle Movement
Located in Portland, England
A lovely Art Deco red and gold travel clock retailed by Mappin & Webb, London, dating to the 1920s–1930s. The clock features a beautifully styled case with bold red and gilt chin...