“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.
Antique Georgian Gold Cannetille Day Night Pendant Earrings
Located in New York, NY
These antique earrings are light and delicate yet have presence and size when worn. The earrings are made of 18k gold and have exquisite cannetille work from about 1820. Cannetille...
18k Gold
Late Victorian French Rose Gold Diamond Dangling Earrings
Located in New York, NY
An earring with movement and fringe is fashionable and fun. These earrings pass the swinging test, as each component swings forward and back freely. A small diamond on a wire suspe...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique Georgian 15 Karat Gold Turquoise Pendant Earrings
Located in New York, NY
A pristine pair of antique Georgian 15k yellow gold turquoise hollow form gold earrings, circa 1840. These long pendant earrings are very light on the ear, and have their original fr...
Turquoise, Gold, 15k Gold
Victorian Etruscan Revival Gold Coral Dangling Earring
Located in New York, NY
This is a gorgeous dramatic pair of Victorian Etruscan Revival coral dangling earrings. The earring is composed almost like hanging urns, but wi...
Coral, 18k Gold
Antique Edwardian Black Starr & Frost Gold Pearl Diamond Amethyst Heart Brooch
Located in New York, NY
An antique platinum topped 18k gold buff top amethyst heart pin with bail surrounded by rosecut diamonds and small pearls, circa 1900. The amethysts is a pretty purple hue, and is sm...
Amethyst, Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
Antique Art Deco Platinum Red Coral and Black Enamel Diamond Earrings
Located in New York, NY
A rare pair of dramatic platinum Art Deco blood red coral and black enamel earrings, circa 1920. The amphora shape of the coral is beautifully carved, ...
Coral, Diamond, Platinum, Enamel
Robert Wander 18K Semi Baroque South Sea Pearl and Diamond Earrings
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This very versatile pair of late-20th century 18K yellow gold designer fashion earrings is set with two 13.5mm semi-baroque South Sea pearls surrounded by a line of brilliant cut dia...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Dalben Design South Sea Baroque Pearl and Diamond Yellow Gold Dangle Earrings
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design 18 kt scratch handmade finishing yellow gold earrings with two South Sea Baroque Pearl 15 x 17 mm weight 54 carat and two diamonds total weight 0,16 ct. Earrings dime...
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage David Webb Platinum Pearl and Diamond Dangle Earrings
By David Webb
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This pair of traditional David Webb earrings, created in platinum with diamond and South Sea pearl drops, offers classic beauty and versatility by this iconic American jewelry design...
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Natural Pearl & Diamonds Art Deco Style Victorian Drop / Dangle Earring
By JEWEL HUB
Located in Hong Kong, HK
A very beautiful and wearable Pearl & Diamonds Art Deco style Victorian Drop/ Dangle Earrings set in 14K Gold & 925 Silver. The weight of the Pearl is 34.05 carats. The Pearl is a na...
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold, Silver
Vintage 1960s David Webb Pearl and Detachable Bombe Diamonds Dangle Earrings
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in platinum and 18k white gold with Cultured Pearls measuring 13mm, and Round Brilliant cut Diamonds. Signed by David Webb Circa 1960s Top part: 1 inch diameter Detach...
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
Moraglione Fancy Colored Diamond, Diamond, Large Baroque Pearl 18K Gold Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Estate Moraglione Fancy Brown Diamond, Diamond, large Baroque Pearl 18K yellow and white gold earrings Provenance: Fine Palm Beach estate F.lli Mora...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
