David Webb More Objets d'Art and Vertu
“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.
1980s American Vintage David Webb More Objets d'Art and Vertu
18k Gold, Platinum
1970s Vintage David Webb More Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade
1970s American Vintage David Webb More Objets d'Art and Vertu
18k Gold
1930s French Retro Vintage David Webb More Objets d'Art and Vertu
Blue Sapphire, Gilt Metal
1990s Unknown Retro David Webb More Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Modernist David Webb More Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1840s Italian Classical Roman Antique David Webb More Objets d'Art and Vertu
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1860s English Victorian Antique David Webb More Objets d'Art and Vertu
Crystal, Gold
1890s Russian Late Victorian Antique David Webb More Objets d'Art and Vertu
Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Agate, Enamel, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gol...
Early 20th Century American David Webb More Objets d'Art and Vertu
Other
19th Century Chinese Artisan Antique David Webb More Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade
Early 19th Century Greek Artisan Antique David Webb More Objets d'Art and Vertu
Coral, Silver, Enamel
Early 18th Century Chinese Artisan Antique David Webb More Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade, Silver
Early 20th Century French Art Deco David Webb More Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, Jade, Natural Pearl, Platinum, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s British Contemporary David Webb More Objets d'Art and Vertu
Enamel, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold