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Of all the great American jewelers of the 20th century, David Webb stands at the forefront of American glamour in the world of jewelry design. Born in Asheville, North Carolina in 1925, a young Webb moved to New York City where he opened shop in 1948. Throughout the late 1940s and into the 1950s, Webb continually grew into his own design aesthetic, and by the 1960s had developed his own unique point of view and sense of style.Over the course of his career, Webb developed techniques and elements in jewelry design that are now synonymous with the firm. Enamel, in various colors and hues, was abundant and often used. This is evidenced in the set of three enamel and gold bracelets (Lot 188), the enamel lending a jeweled effect that glimmers with the movement of the wearer. In addition to enamel, Webb was also a great fan of flora and fauna, gathered through books and travels for inspiration in the creation of his animal themed jewelry. The armadillo and flower brooches (Lots 189 and 191) are both wonderful examples of his love of nature rendered in three dimensional jewels. Webb would often incorporate both his love of enamel and nature to create what are now recognizable designs of the firm. Some of the most iconic creations were his frog jewelry, which was a favorite of some of the most stylish women of the 20th century including the Duchess of Windsor. Christie’s is delighted to present a suite of this famous design (Lot 190), which perfectly encapsulates the genius and whimsy of this important American jeweler.PROPERTY FROM A DISTINGUISHED AMERICAN COLLECTION
THREE ENAMEL AND GOLD BRACELETS, BY DAVID WEBB
Details
THREE ENAMEL AND GOLD BRACELETS, BY DAVID WEBB
Each bracelet designed as a flexible 18k gold bombé band with variously-colored enamel in a lattice-work pattern, 5 3/4 ins. each
Each signed Webb
Each bracelet designed as a flexible 18k gold bombé band with variously-colored enamel in a lattice-work pattern, 5 3/4 ins. each
Each signed Webb