“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.
14 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond Ring Watch, circa 1945
Located in Firenze, IT
Retro tank watch ring in 14 karat gold and diamond with an octagonal shape, centered on a rectangular watch case. The dial features black enameled Roman numerals on a light gold back...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Victorian Essex Crystal Reverse Intaglio Gold Dog Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
The domed round shape rock crystal reverse intaglio painted to depict a Yorkshire Terrier. Mounted in 18Kt gold setting Finger size: 7 Diameter of the top: 25 mm Weight: 16.2 gr
Rock Crystal, Crystal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Antique 18k Gold and Silver Old Rose Cut Flemish Diamond Ring, Italy
Located in Firenze, IT
Centering an old rose cut flemish diamond approximately 0,50ct, mounted in silver and gold. Size 7 Weight: 4,5gr.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Art Déco Ring With Old European Cut Diamonds Circa 1920's
Located in Firenze, IT
Art Déco ring with old cut diamonds , yellow gold, platinum. Marquise-shaped, milgrain-set, with old- and rose-cut diamonds (total approx. 0.38 ct). Bezel-set with two old-cut diamon...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
18kt Yellow Gold Bombé Black Enamel Cocktail Ring, Italy, 1970s
Located in Firenze, IT
Of bombé design, decorated with bands of black enamel, mounted in 18ct gold, gross weight 17.30 grams, ring size 6
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique 2.9ct Old Mine & European-Cut Diamond Three-Stone Ring, 1890
Located in Firenze, IT
Period: Late 19th Century Size: 7 ½ Carats: 2,9 ct Weight: 3,60 gr The ring, from the late 19th century, is composed of three diamonds for a total of approximately 2.9 carats, set ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
David Webb Platinum & 18K Yellow Gold Double Head Lion Ring
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Step into the world of timeless elegance with this vintage David Webb 18k yellow gold double head lion ring. Featuring two majestic lions facing each other, this ring exudes strength...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
David Webb 18K Yellow Gold With Bark Finish Estate Step Ring
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Introducing the David Webb 18K Yellow Gold Bark Finish Estate Step Ring. This stunning piece features a unique hinged shank mechanism, which includes a discreet hinge on the undersid...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sculptural Recycled Yellow Gold Diamond Contemporary Elephant Ring by MAZARIN
Located in Geneve, CH
Elephant Ring by MAZARIN Dimensions: W 2 x H 2 cm Materials: 14.8 g of recycled yellow gold 750/1000. 1 pear-shaped diamond of 0.3 carat. Sculpted gold ring depicting an elephant's ...
Yellow Gold
Vintage 14K Yellow Gold 'Lucky Pig' Pendant on 10K Gold Chain - 20th Century
Located in Chatham, CA
Vintage 14K yellow gold 'lucky pig' pendant on a 10K yellow gold snake chain necklace - excellent quality - the pendant features a cast form with chiseled details and contrasting fin...
10k Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
David Webb Zebra Ring, Diamond and Enamel 18K Yellow Gold Platinum
By David Webb
Located in Great Neck, NY
David Webb Zebra Ring, Diamond and Enamel 18K Yellow Gold Platinum Designer: David Webb Metal: 18K yellow gold & platinum Diamonds: Pavé - se...
Diamond, Ruby, Star Ruby, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Pla...
Amusing Trifari Jelly Belly Pig Brooch, Alfred Phillipe
By Alfred Philippe for Trifari
Located in New York, NY
Trifari retro Jelly Belly amusing pig brooch. Designed in 1943 by Alfred Philippe ,this amusing pig brooch is one of the more unusual of Trifari's animal JE...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Gilt Metal, Rhodium
