“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.
Red Coral Diamond Yellow Gold Clasp Beads Necklace
Located in New York, NY
This rare vintage necklace is composed of genuine coral beads forming a graduated strand and ranging in size from 7.50mm to 12.00mm. Completed with...
Coral, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Magic Alhambra Carnelian Tiger Eye 6-Motif Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite Van Cleef & Arpels necklace from the iconic Magic Alhambra collection features a 6-motif design of beaded clovers crafted in 18k white gold and set with 3 carnelia...
Carnelian, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Natural Turquoise Bead South Sea Cultured Pearl Yellow Gold Necklace GIA
Located in New York, NY
This gorgeous 14k yellow gold necklace consists of 20.0mm natural turquoise beads, accented with diamond pave rondels and featuring a pendant clasp with a South Sea Cultured Pearl me...
Cultured Pearl, Turquoise, Yellow Gold
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Byzantine Alhambra 18k Yellow Gold Long Chain Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
This classic long necklace from the iconic Byzantine Alhambra collection by Van Cleef & Arpels is crafted in 18k yellow gold and features a series of polished gold openwork Alhambra ...
Yellow Gold
Italian Hand-Crafted Multicolor Brushed Gold Balls Choker & Long Chain Necklace
Located in New York, NY
This gorgeous and chic Italian pair of necklaces features a collar chain complemented with round balls and a long chain complemented with oval elements, ha...
Gold, 18k Gold
Mangalsutra Diamond Onyx Bead 22 Karat Gold Indian Bridal Handmade Necklace
Located in New York, NY
This gorgeous bridal Mangalsutra necklace is hand-crafted in 22k yellow gold and features 2 rows of black onyx beads completed with a sparkling pe...
Diamond, Onyx, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 14k Yellow Gold 9.5mm Red Coral Beaded Strand Necklace
Located in New York, NY
A charming vintage 14k Yellow Gold Red Coral Beaded Strand Necklace, featuring richly colored textured coral beads accented with polished gold rondelles and statement gold separators...
Coral, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 14K Yellow Gold Red Coral Graduated Beaded Double Strand Necklace
Located in New York, NY
A striking beaded necklace featuring vibrant red coral beads, elegantly strung and secured with a 14k gold clasp. Weight: 39.3 grams Stone: Red Coral (5 - 9.5 mm) Necklace Length: 1...
Coral, 14k Gold
Vintage Double Stranded Red Coral Necklace with 18K Gold Clasp, Italy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage necklace with double strands of 7-7.5mm red corals and 18 karat yellow gold clasp / Italy 1960-1970s Length 47 cm
Coral, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
David Webb Faceted Coral Black Onyx 18k Yellow Gold Necklace
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
David Webb Faceted Coral Black Onyx 18k Yellow Gold Necklace A collar necklace made of twenty faceted coral beads, twenty-one black onyx-lined discs, a...
Coral, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Important Natural Italian Coral 18k Yellow Gold Necklace
By Antinori Fine Jewels
Located in Chicago, IL
Investment grade Chiaka mediterranean coral This remarkable necklace showcases an impressive necklace set in 18k yellow gold made with natural coral from Italy Length 65 cm Weight...
Coral, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
27.5" Italian Red Coral Bead Necklace – Hand-Wrapped in 14K Yellow Gold Wire
Located in New York, NY
Like a strand of sunlight drifting through tropical waters, this Italian red coral bead necklace captures the vibrant essence of the ocean. Each natural coral bead radiates a deep, s...
Coral, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
