“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 Coral Tassel Bead Pendant Necklace
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
David Webb Coral Tassel Bead Pendant Necklace . A necklace featuring strands of "Angel's Skin" coral beads with black enamel & diamond spacers. WIth a "Elziabeth Taylor" pendant broo...
Coral, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
David Webb Angel Skin Coral Tassel Bead Necklace
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
David Webb Angel Skin Coral Tassel Bead Sautoir Necklace A necklace featuring strands of exceptional "Angel's Skin" coral beads with black enamel & diamond spacers. Measuremen...
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Tourmaline and Diamond Tassel Necklace
Located in New York, NY
Tourmaline and Diamond Tassel Necklace A yellow gold link necklace set with round cut diamonds.. The pendant is set with baguette-cut tourmalines, round-cut diamonds, and a cabochon...
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Emerald Ruby and Diamond Sautoir Tassel Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef & Arpels Emerald Ruby and Diamond Sautoir Tassel Necklace Made Circa 1972. A monumental Indian inspired tassel necklace set with cabochon emeralds, rubies, and round ...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Iconic David Webb Necklace
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Iconic David Webb Necklace David Webb Carved Coral, Amethyst, Emerald, and White Enamel Necklace. This iconic necklace features links of white enamel with carved amethysts, emerald...
Amethyst, Coral, Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Enamel
Iconic Bvlgari Sautoir Necklace
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Bulgari Mother of Pearl Sautoir Necklace Exhibited in Masterpieces of 1970-1979 in New Bond Street in 2013 An 18 karat gold pendant necklace set with round cut diamonds and mother ...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Tiffany & Co. 1950s 14K Yellow Gold Rope Tassel Lariat Necklace
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Miami, FL
This exceptional vintage necklace is an authentic 1950s Tiffany & Co. creation, crafted in rich 14K yellow gold as a dramatic rope-chain tassel lariat. Twisted 5mm rope chains cascad...
Yellow Gold
French Gilt Tassel Necklace
By Isabel Canovas
Located in New York, NY
Oversized gilt brass French necklace from the 1980s. Thick wheat chain similar to those used by Chanel or Isabel Canovas forms the necklace and ends ...
Brass, Gilt Metal, Gold Plate, Bronze
18k Gold Plated Rope Chain Tassel Pendant Necklace circa 1970s
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
This stunning 18k Gold Plated Rope Chain Tassel Pendant Necklace from the circa 1970s exudes vintage charm and timeless elegance. The intricate rope chain design is complemented by a...
Extremely Cute 18K Gold Tassel Fob on Extremely Long Removable Sapphire Necklace
By Eytan Brandes
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
This 18 karat gold tassel was one of two attached to an extremely damaged, early 20th Century chatelaine that came into our shop at least 20 years ago as scrap-in-trade. We melted m...
Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18k Yellow Gold Rope Style Necklet with Tassels Circa 1980s
Located in ADELAIDE, SA
An Italian made rope style necklet crafted in 18k yellow gold, featuring two tassels of a box link chain with matt finished caps. Stamped with Arezzo. Metal: 18k yellow gold - XRF t...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 18k Gold 4 Strand Cable Link Necklace w/ Diamond Tassel Lariat Pendant
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (22) Natural Genuine Diamond - Round Brilliant Cut - Pave & Bezel Set - Nice Brilliant White Diamonds - 0.25ctw (approx.) Material: Solid 18k Yellow Gold Weight: 14.83...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
