David Webb 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.
1960s American Vintage David Webb Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s American Vintage David Webb Objets d'Art and Vertu
18k Gold
1980s American Vintage David Webb Objets d'Art and Vertu
Emerald, Ruby, 14k Gold
1980s American Vintage David Webb Objets d'Art and Vertu
18k Gold, Platinum
1970s Vintage David Webb Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade
Early 20th Century French Art Deco David Webb Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold, Enamel
1930s American Vintage David Webb Objets d'Art and Vertu
14k Gold
1990s Unknown Retro David Webb Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century David Webb Objets d'Art and Vertu
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1860s English Victorian Antique David Webb Objets d'Art and Vertu
Crystal, Gold
Early 20th Century Russian Art Nouveau David Webb Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Retro David Webb Objets d'Art and Vertu
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1780s Swiss Antique David Webb Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold, Enamel
20th Century American Modernist David Webb Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Retro Vintage David Webb Objets d'Art and Vertu
14k Gold, Gold
1960s Swiss Vintage David Webb Objets d'Art and Vertu
Brass
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique David Webb Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade
21st Century and Contemporary American David Webb Objets d'Art and Vertu
Emerald, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1980s American Modern Vintage David Webb Objets d'Art and Vertu
White Diamond, 18k Gold
David Webb Objets d'Art and Vertu
18k Gold
20th Century American David Webb Objets d'Art and Vertu
Ruby, 18k Gold