“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.
Vintage 1980s David Webb Black Enamel and Diamond Earrings
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold and platinum with Round brilliant cut Diamonds weighing approximately a total of 3.60 carats. Signed by David Webb, from their Manhattan Minimalism ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum, Enamel
Vintage 1960s David Webb Black Enamel and Diamond Earrings
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted with black enamel over 18k yellow gold and platinum with Round Brilliant cut Diamonds weighing a total of approximately 1.50 carats. Signed by David Webb Circa 1960s ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1980s Cartier Diamond and Onyx Panthere Earrings
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold with Round Brilliant cut Diamonds and Onyx. Signed by Cartier Circa 1980s Each earring: 3/4 x 1/2 inch
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s David Webb Turquoise and Diamond Detachable Dangle Earrings
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold with four Pear-Shaped Cabochon Turquoises and Round Brilliant and Marquise cut Diamonds weighing approximately a total of 10.00 carats. Signed by Da...
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold
David Webb Black Enamel and Gold Almond Earrings
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold and black enamel. Signed by David Webb 1 x 3/4 inch
18k Gold, Enamel
Vintage 1970s David Webb Cabochon Emerald and Diamond Earrings
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k gold with Cabochon Emeralds weighing a total of approximately 18.00 carats and Round Brilliant cut Diamonds weighing a total of approximately 8.00 carats. Signe...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
David Webb Earrings Black Enamel Diamond 18k Gold Vintage Ear Clips
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Vintage David Webb Earrings Clips 18k and Platinum. Black Enamel and Natural Diamonds 18k Yellow Gold. approx weight 48 grams Size approx 20mm wide, and 30mm tall Earring Clip-ons Di...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel
David Webb 18K Gold Turquoise Clip-On Earrings, Late 20th Century
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
These earrings from David Webb feature a stunning combination of white enamel and turquoise, creating a striking contrast of vibrant colors. The turquoise measures approximately 11.4...
Turquoise, 18k Gold
David Webb Black Enamel Diamond Clip-On and Pierced Earrings
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
A pair of diamond and enamel earclips, David Webb set with white enamel, accented by articulated shield-shaped panels, pave-set with round brilliant-cu...
Diamond, Enamel
David Webb Earrings Black Enamel Diamond 18k Gold Vintage Ear Clips
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Vintage David Webb Earrings Clips Black Enamel and Natural Diamonds 18k Yellow Gold approx weight 42 grams Size approx 1 x 1 inch Earring Clip-ons Makers mark can be seen in the imag...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel
David Webb Black Enamel Diamond Gold Platinum Half Hoop Earrings
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Pair of classic large 18k yellow gold and platinum half hoop earrings by David Webb, set with approx. 2.80ctw in H/VS-Si1 diamonds and black enamel (small chips are present on the en...
Diamond, Gold, Platinum, Enamel
Vintage David Webb 18K Gold Black Enamel and Diamond Earrings
By David Webb
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This vintage pair of David Webb earrings possess all of the qualities that make items by this American creator so compelling. The pair measures 1 5/16 inches in length by 7/8 inch in...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum, Enamel
