“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.
Van Cleef & Arpels Paris 18K Gold and Diamond Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Created in the 1980s by the atelier of Roger Mathon for Van Cleef & Arpels Paris, and retailed in New York, this necklace is composed of 18K gold and diamonds. An evolution in form f...
Diamond, 18k Gold
French Retro Tubogas Necklace
Located in New York, NY
Created in the late 1930s to early 1940s, this Retro 18K gold and diamond tubogas necklace was made in France. The necklace is designed as a tapering tubogas link chain mounted with ...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Angela Cummings for Tiffany & Co. Asymmetrical 18K Gold Necklace
By Angela Cummings for Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Created in 1980, this 18K gold and diamond necklace was designed by Angela Cummings and made by Tiffany & Co. It is designed as a series of cushion-shape slightly-bombé gold links of...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Paloma Picasso for Tiffany & Co. Necklace
By Paloma Picasso for Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
This 18K gold and diamond necklace designed by Paloma Picasso for Tiffany & Co. was created in 1980. It is designed as a torsade formed of multiple strands of box chain gathered by h...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels "Delphe" Convertible Sautoir
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Created in the 1970s, this Van Cleef & Arpels Paris "Delphe" collection pendant necklace, transformable into a clip and four bracelets or two necklaces, is composed of coral, chrysop...
Chrysophrase, Coral, 18k Gold
Cartier Textured Gold Collar Necklace
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
This Cartier 18K gold necklace, created in the 1980s, is composed of tapering, fluted, overlapping wrapped links alternating with curved, ree...
18k Gold
Vintage 1970s David Webb Gold Collar Necklace with Diamonds
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold and platinum with Round Brilliant cut Diamonds weighing a total of approximately 2.50 carats. Signed by David Webb Circa 1970s 15 inches long
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
David Webb Gold Diamond Platinum Vintage Necklace
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Diamond, Platinum, Gold Necklace, David Webb The hinged necklace features full-cut diamonds weighing a total of approximately 2.50 carats, set in platinum and 18k gold, marked Webb ...
Diamond, Gold, Platinum
Rare Important Original David Webb 18KT Gold and Platinum Fancy Diamond Necklace
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
The Following Item we are offering is a Rare Important Radiant 18KT Gold Necklace and Platinum David Webb Estate Necklace. This Magnificent Necklace contains approx 240 round diamond...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
David Webb Platinum & 18K Yellow Gold Open Link Collar Necklace
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Introducing a masterpiece of timeless elegance and sophistication, the Estate 18k Yellow Gold and Diamond Open Link Necklace by David Webb. ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
David Webb 18k Yellow Gold Woven Link Statement Necklace
By David Webb
Located in Chicago, IL
This exquisite statement necklace by the renowned jewelry house David Webb is a masterclass in gold craftsmanship. Expertly rendered in lustrous 18k yellow gold, the piece features a...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
David Webb Rock Crystal Necklace
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
David Webb Rock Crystal Necklace Enhance your jewelry collection with this striking David Webb Rock Crystal Necklace, a stunning testament to ...
Diamond, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, Platinum
