“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.
14K Yellow Gold Aventurine Bead Necklace, Modern Late 20th Century
Located in Queens, NY
14K Yellow Gold Aventurine Bead Necklace, featuring fully drilled round aventurine beads and 14K gold rondelles approx. 9.50 -10.00 mm., joined with 14K fish hook clasp, marked: "14K...
Aventurine, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Yellow Gold and Oval Amethyst Set Collar Necklace
Located in Queens, NY
18K Yellow Gold and Amethyst Necklace, featuring seven bezel set oval brilliant amethysts weighing a total of approx. 35.00 carats, joined with box and tongue clasp including wire fi...
Amethyst, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Modern 14K Yellow Gold Two-Strand Cultured Pearl Necklace
Located in Queens, NY
14K Yellow Gold Two-Strand Cultured Pearl Necklace, marked: "14K". Length: 20" nested; approx. 149 Cultured Pearls: 5.5 to 6.0 mm approx. Total Weight: 27.5 dwt. Provenance: From...
Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
David Webb 18K Gold Platinum Diamond Bracelet, Late 20th Century
By David Webb
Located in Queens, NY
David Webb 18K Yellow Gold Platinum Diamond Bracelet, fabricated with sculpted gold links, adorned with five platinum prong set old European cut diamonds weighing approx. 1.80, 1.65,...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
14K Gold Emerald and Diamond Multi-Strand Pearl Necklace
Located in Queens, NY
14K Gold Emerald Diamond Multi-Strand Pearl Necklace, 9 strands of cultured semi baroque pearls approx. 3.0 4.5 mm, joined with 14K yellow gold box and tongue clasp, adorned with one...
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps 14K Gold Multi-Colored Gemstone & Pearl Necklace
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Queens, NY
Seaman Schepps 14K Yellow Gold Multi-Colored Gemstone Pearl Necklace, featuring one detachable brooch / clasp featuring a centered bezel set carved ruby pear shaped cabochon weighing...
Blue Sapphire, Ruby, Pearl, Lapis Lazuli, Emerald, Diamond, Silver, Yell...
David Webb 18K Yellow Gold Long Chain Link Necklace
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Introducing the David Webb 18K Yellow Gold Long Chain Link Necklace, a masterpiece of timeless elegance and versatility. Craf...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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
Judith Ripka 18 Karat Yellow Gold Link Necklace 135.9 Grams
By Judith Ripka
Located in New York, NY
Judith Ripka 18 karat yellow gold necklace featuring polished and beaded links weighing 135.9 grams.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
David Webb Platinum & 18k Yellow Gold Twisted Rope Link Diamond Collar Necklace
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
The David Webb Twisted Rope Link Diamond Collar Necklace is a true masterpiece, elegantly crafted with brilliant-cut diamonds, hammered 18K gold, and platinum. This exquisite piece m...
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
Yellow Gold Paper Clip Necklace, 14k Gold
By Roman Malakov
Located in New York, NY
A fashionable paperclip link necklace with round loops in sets of three. Made of 14K yellow gold, weighing 11.80 grams and 18 inches in length. Perfect accessory to any outfit.
Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
