David Webb Jewelry is a luxury jewelry brand that was founded in 1948 by David Webb in New York City. The brand is known for its bold designs, use of colored gemstones, and masterful craftsmanship.
Webb started his career in the jewelry industry at the age of 16, when he began apprenticing at his uncle's jewelry shop. He quickly developed a passion for jewelry design and started his own business in 1948. His early designs were inspired by ancient cultures, such as Egyptian, Greek, and Roman art, and featured bold, sculptural shapes.
One of the defining characteristics of David Webb Jewelry is its use of enamel. Webb was known for his mastery of the technique, and he often incorporated colorful enamel into his designs, creating vibrant, eye-catching pieces. He also used a wide variety of gemstones, including diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires, and was particularly fond of pairing contrasting colors together.
Over the years, David Webb Jewelry has become known for its iconic designs, many of which have been worn by celebrities and high-profile figures. One of the most famous pieces is the "Webb-Zadeh" necklace, which was commissioned by Elizabeth Taylor in the 1970s. The necklace features a large diamond pendant set in yellow gold, surrounded by colorful enamel and diamonds.
Other notable pieces include the "Zeus" bracelet, which features a sculptural lion head set with diamonds and emeralds, and the "Crocodile" bracelet, which is made of textured gold and features emerald eyes and diamond accents.
David Webb was well-known in the mid-20th century for his bold, colorful designs that often incorporated animal motifs. Some of his most iconic and famous works include:
The "Kingdom" necklace: This stunning piece was created in 1963 and features a central lion's head motif with emerald eyes and a mane made of diamonds. The necklace is made of 18-karat gold and is set with more than 100 carats of diamonds, as well as rubies and emeralds.
The "Dolphin" bracelet: Another animal-inspired piece, this bracelet features two dolphins made of gold with diamond and sapphire accents. The dolphins are set on a textured gold band that wraps around the wrist.
The "Four Seasons" brooch: This colorful brooch features four panels that depict each of the seasons. The spring panel features a bird on a branch with pink and green enamel, the summer panel features a butterfly with blue and green enamel, the fall panel features a tree with orange and brown enamel, and the winter panel features a snowflake with white and blue enamel.
The "Zebra" bracelet: This bracelet features a black and white enamel zebra motif with diamond accents. The zebra is set on a wide gold band with a textured finish.
The "Cheetah" necklace: Another big cat-inspired piece, this necklace features a cheetah made of gold with black enamel spots and emerald eyes. The cheetah is set on a gold chain with diamond accents.
Overall, David Webb's works are highly sought after by collectors and are considered some of the most iconic and distinctive pieces of mid-20th century American jewelry design.
David Webb passed away in 1975, but his legacy lives on through his eponymous jewelry brand. Today, David Webb Jewelry continues to create bold, statement-making pieces that are beloved by collectors and connoisseurs of fine jewelry.