DAVID WEBB
‘Made in America’ — three words that marshalled the brand’s creations, since the day jeweller David Webb set up shop in New York in 1948, at merely 23 years old. Apprenticing with an uncle, who was in jewellery manufacturing, whetted his appetite for bigger dreams.
David Webb has created some of the most daring jewels that we have ever seen — hand enamelled, gorgeously textured jewellery that is big and absolutely beautiful. Clearly an extraordinary designer, he was unafraid to use clashing colours, bright gemstones, and bold patterns. In the ‘60s and ‘70s, he was among the go-to jewellers by the Duchess of Windsor, Princess Grace of Monaco, Elizabeth Taylor, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
Nature, particularly animals, acted as muse for the jeweller, whose creations reflected a wonder and whimsy that are infinitely appealing. Scrolls, architecture, and geometry leaped through carnelian plaques and carved gemmy hoops. He revisited Art Deco in a way that, perhaps, may have been unimaginable for most designers at that time. Yellow gold was a beloved metal, and rock crystal became his favourite new material. Anything he has created was distinctive and recognisable; he was best known for his carved and enamelled animal bracelets, stunning gold necklaces, colourful sautoirs, and Maltese cross brooches.
In December 1975, after David’s untimely death, Nina Silberstein, the president of his company, took over and began working with and interpreting his designs. Since 2009, under the new owners, Mark Emanuel and Robert Sadian, the brand has “returned to the archives of nearly 40,000 drawings and designs, faithfully restoring David Webb’s original designs”.
For more information, visit www.davidwebb.com.