“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.
David Webb 18 Karat Yellow Gold and Pearl Three Zero Ear Clips
By David Webb
Located in Weston, MA
David Webb’s sense of modernity and polish is on full display in these opulent ear clips from the 1960s. Three 18k yellow gold interlocking links are embellished with baroque pearls ...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Chaumet 1970s 18k Gold and Diamond Ear Clips
By Chaumet
Located in Weston, MA
In the 1970s, Chaumet, hired jewelers Pierre Sterle and Rene Morin to design pieces that were modern and completely groundbreaking. This “new look” involved beautiful goldsmithing an...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Henry Dunay 18K Gold Knot Cufflinks
By Henry Dunay
Located in Weston, MA
This substantial pair of Dunay 18K gold cufflinks features swirling hand-hammered knots finished with fluted gold whale backs. 18K yellow gold Signed Dunay
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Elizabeth Locke 19K Hammered Gold and Diamond Cufflinks
By Elizabeth Locke
Located in Weston, MA
Drawing on her fascination with neo-classical designs, Elizabeth Locke injects old world glamour into her handmade jewelry. These elegant cufflinks center on hammered 19K gold domes ...
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold
Melissa Kaye Hazel Ruby Earrings
Located in Weston, MA
These delicate sapphire studs are an easy everyday choice. Wear alone for a classic look or stack above your favorite hoops. 18K white gold with blue sapphires (0.46 tcw) 0.24” diam...
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Yellow Gold Leaf-Form Earrings
By Aaron Henry
Located in Weston, MA
Comprising a necklace set with a series of links in the form of 19k and 18k yellow gold leaves of varying shapes, with ‘AH’ maker’s mark; and a pair of earrings of similar design, wi...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Gold Ear Clips by David Webb
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
18kt Gold textured Square Hammered Ear Clips by David Webb The earrings measure approximately 1/2" Omega Clip Can be posted
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
David Webb 18K Yellow Gold Clip-On Button Earrings, Mid-Century Design
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
It’s rare to find David Webb jewelry in such a minimalist, all-gold form—but these bold 18K yellow gold button earrings prove that simplicity can still make a statement. Crafted with...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage David Webb 18K Yellow Gold Hammered Clip on Earrings
By David Webb
Located in Houston, TX
Brand: David Webb Gender: Ladies Metal Type: 18K Yellow Gold Length: 0.75 inches Width: 22.30 mm Weight: 18.92 grams Ladies DAVID WEBB designer made hammer finished 18K yellow ...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
David Webb Hammered 18k Yellow Gold X Ear Clips
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
David Webb Hammered 18k Yellow Gold X Ear Clips Softly hammered 18 karat yellow gold, with X motif; marked Webb, 18k Size: width 2.8 cm, length 2.8 cm Total weight: 47.7 grams
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
David Webb Gold Swirl Ear Clips
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
David Webb 18 karat yellow gold ear clips with a swirl design. Circa 1970s. Marked: 18K / Webb. Total weight: 26.5 grams. Width: 0.75 inch. Length: 1 inch.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage David Webb 18K Yellow Gold Hammered Dome Clip Earrings
By David Webb
Located in Houston, TX
Brand: David Webb Gender: Ladies Metal Type: 18K Yellow Gold Length: 0.75 inches Width: 18.30 mm Weight: 19.09 grams One pair of ladies DAVID WEBB 18K yellow gold vintage dangl...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
