Jewellery designer David Webb

Jewellery designer David Webb
Poseidon brooch. 18 K gold, platinum, baroque pearl, enamel, diamond. Jewellery designer David Webb

Jewellery designer David Webb
American self-taught jewellery designer David Webb has become the quintessential Jeweler and an iconic figure in the world of high fashion and jewelry art of the XX century. Born in North Carolina in 1925, he is the founder of the eponymous jewelry house David Webb. According to Webb, he began to think about creating jewelry in childhood.
The boy, who was then living in the American town of Asheville, often visited his uncle – a talented jeweler who owned a large studio. Even then, the young Webb became interested in the secrets of stone cutting that fascinated him with its magnificence and mysteriously flickering facets. Uncle taught his curious nephew David some of the secrets of jewelry that fascinated Webb more and more.
Aged 17, he was the first time in New York – a city of contrasts, that won the novice jeweler by its beauty and grandeur. Webb decided to stay in New York. For a long time, he worked in this city as a goldsmith and jewelry designer, and achieved considerable success.
Godsend for Webb was a meeting with Antoinette Quilleret, French wealthy lady, and a fan of luxury jewelry. She could see in a young jeweler talented and original master with a great future. In 1948, with a helping hand of Antoinette was founded David Webb, head office on 57th Street to Madison Avenue.

A rose blossom. Platinum and diamond brooch, David Webb
A rose blossom. Platinum and diamond brooch, circa 1962

Jewellery designer David Webb

Webb’s works show a great variation in the colors and forms of jewelry. In the very first collection of David Webb called “Menagerie”, can be traced motives of animal world. The line of jewelry includes rings, earrings and other items depicting different animals: pandas, frogs, dolphins, zebras, butterflies. Later, the “animal” theme will be reflected in other collections of Webb, which will occupy a niche in the vast world of jewelry, but the success of the first collection Menagerie they will unlikely to ever be able to outshine.

A pair of gold clippings with enamel and ruby cabochons from the collection of the Duchess of Windsor. 1964. New York
A pair of gold clippings with enamel and ruby cabochons from the collection of the Duchess of Windsor. 1964. New York
8 Karat Gold, Platinum and Diamond Evening Bag, David Webb
Evening Bag, 8 Karat Gold, Platinum and Diamond

In his heyday in the 1960s, many Hollywood actresses and royalty preferred DW jewelry. In particular, Elizabeth Taylor, Doris Duke, Princess Grace of Monaco, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Even generations of Vanderbilt’s and Rockefellers, Barbra Streisand, Helen Mirren, Jennifer Garner, Beyonce and Sofia Vergara. Also, Lana Turner, Doris Day and Susan Hayward wearing them in the films Madame X, The Thrill of it All and Backstreet. Webb’s motifs – dragon bracelets of yellow gold, Maltese cross brooches and animals made in bold and unique style were a perfect choice for filming. The iconic New York jeweler was 50 years old when he died of pancreatic cancer in 1975.

Maker's mark
Maker’s mark
18 Karat Gold and emerald Snake Bracelet
Snake Bracelet, emerald and gold

A true experimenter, Webb “get along” such seemingly incompatible materials as shells, rock crystal, coral and … Gold, silver and platinum. Of course, before Webb combined precious metals and base materials, but in his jewelry they look quite different – harmonious and very beautiful.

18 karat gold, Platinum and diamond necklace. Jewellery designer David Webb
Platinum, gold and diamond necklace

Jewellery designer David Webb

18 Karat Gold snail, Diamond and Enamel Brooch, David Webb
18 Karat Gold snail, Diamond and Enamel Brooch

The adventurous Webb’s designs were based on ancient Greek, Roman, Egyptian, pre-Columbian, Indian and Chinese civilizations. Such inspiration he got staying in the Metropolitan Museum of Art for hours. His bold use of color utilized oversized pieces of coral, turquoise and jade, as well as ruby and emerald beads. Webb jewels are certainly not for the shrinking violet. There is nothing delicate, subtle or understated about them, and the woman who chooses Webb has confidence in her style and a definite point of view.

French Napoleon-esque soldier brooch. Gold, red and blue enamel, diamonds
French Napoleon-esque soldier brooch. Gold, red and blue enamel, diamonds

Almost all jewelry produced by the company, encrusted with diamonds and rubies. The large assortment of David Webb jewelry include accessories with gems such as turquoise and jade, however, very few of them. These ornaments are not suitable for everyday use – combined with everyday clothes, they will look a little ridiculous, but the accessories with precious stones perfectly complement the elegant evening gown or other luxury outfit.

Leopard brooch. 18 K gold, emerald eyes, diamonds, black enamel
Leopard brooch. 18 K gold, emerald eyes, diamonds, black enamel
18 Karat Gold, Platinum and Diamond Necklace, David Webb
18 Karat Gold, Platinum and Diamond Necklace

Noteworthy, the brand lives on. For a long time (almost 35 years) Webb was friend and “peers” of Webb – Nina Silberstein and her family. During her “reign” the company began expansion and growth in new markets, such as Beverly Hills, Kuwait and Houston. The house continues to draw from his archives, and his original designs are still in production. Estate jewelers Mark Emanuel, Sima Ghadamian and Robert Sadian purchased the business in 2010.

Owl brooch. Emerald eyes, black enamel, diamonds
Owl brooch. Emerald eyes, black enamel, diamonds

Jewellery designer David Webb

18 Karat Gold, Platinum and Diamond Ring, David Webb
Platinum, gold, diamond ring
Jewellery designer David Webb
Gold, Platinum, Diamond and Emerald Bracelet
Jewellery designer David Webb
18 Karat Gold, Platinum, Diamond and Emerald Bracelet
Jewellery designer David Webb
Leopard brooch. 18 K Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Emerald and Enamel
Jewellery designer David Webb
Geometrical bracelet. 18 Karat Gold, Platinum, Rock Crystal, Diamond and Enamel
Jewellery designer David Webb
Pearl bracelet. 18 K Gold, Platinum, Rock Crystal, Diamond, Ruby, Enamel, Cultured Pearl, 1973
Double strand hammered 18 K gold necklace
Double strand hammered 18 K gold necklace
Jewellery designer David Webb
Dragon bangle-bracelet. 18K Gold, Diamond, Emerald and Enamel
Jewellery designer David Webb
Animal motif Bracelet of gold
Jewellery designer David Webb
Daria Strokous, Fall 2014
Jewellery designer David Webb
Fall winter 2011-2012
Jewellery designer David Webb
DW jewellery fall winter 2011-2012
Jewellery designer David Webb
FW 2011-2012 bracelet
Jewellery designer David Webb
Fashion photo. Fall winter 2011-2012
Jewellery designer David Webb
Model promoting DW Jewelry Fall 2014
Jewellery designer David Webb
Fall 2014
Jewellery designer David Webb
Webb jewelry fall winter 2011-2012
Jewellery designer David Webb
High Jewellery fashion. Fall winter 2011-2012
Jewellery designer David Webb
Sketch of a pendant
Jewellery designer David Webb
Orange Earclips
Jewellery designer David Webb
Gypsy Monkey Brooch
Jewellery designer David Webb
18 K Gold and Colored Stone Pendant-Earclips
Jewellery designer David Webb
Black enamel Ring
Jewellery designer David Webb
Turtle 18 Karat Gold, Platinum, hardstone, sapphire and diamond brooch
Jewellery designer David Webb
Plant motif diamond brooch
Lion bracelet, gold inset with carved lapulis lazuli and diamonds
Lion bracelet, gold inset with carved lapis lazuli and diamonds
Bracelet made of gold with turquoise and diamonds. 1960s
Bracelet. Gold with turquoise and diamonds. 1960s
Bull's head wrist bracelet from carved corals with colored stones and diamonds
Bull’s head wrist bracelet. Corals, stones, diamonds
Aquarius Zodiac clip brooch. 18 K gold, baguette diamonds, emeralds
Aquarius Zodiac clip brooch. 18 K gold, baguette diamonds, emeralds
Beaver Brooch. 18 K gold, white enamel, diamond and emerald
Beaver Brooch. 18 K gold, white enamel, diamond and emerald
Maltese cross brooch pendant. Gold, platinum, diamonds
Maltese cross brooch pendant. Gold, platinum, diamonds
Peapod brooch. 18 karat gold, platinum, diamond, emerald
Peapod brooch. 18 karat gold, platinum, diamond, emeralds
Three pairs of earrings of gold and shells from the collection of the Duchess of Windsor. 1964-1965. New York
Earrings of gold and shells from the collection of the Duchess of Windsor. 1964-1965. New York
Maker’s mark
Maker’s mark

davidwebb.com

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