Auction announcements
29th April 2014
Objects are regular taxed. Differential taxation is not possible.

18 carat yellow gold, platinum
New York, USA, around 1955
David Webb – founded in New York in 1948
Signed with ‘WEBB’
Marked with the purity ‘18K’
Carved rubies, sapphires, cabochon emeralds, diamonds
In signed chocolate brown leather case and box
Diameter: 2.9 cm
Weight: 28.6 grams
Very good condition
David Webb opened for business in New York in 1948 and by the 1960s had become the favorite of Jacqueline Kennedy and Elizabeth Taylor; these stunning ear clips derive from his early body of work

These fashionable ‘Tutti Frutti’ ear clips are by the renowned American jeweler David Webb, made around 1955. The central element of precious gemstones in a platinum setting is original Art Deco and was crafted in the Indian taste of the 1930s. Emeralds, sapphires, rubies and diamonds are either faceted, carved as leaves or set as cabochons. The decorative central pieces were mounted by Webb as ear clips around 1955. Set within swirling yellow gold wreath frames they reveal pattern and contrast, and can be worn both in the day as well as the evening.



The ear clips are in very good condition and come in a signed leather case and box. The diameter of each ear clip is 2.9 cm and the pair weighs 28.6 grams. They are each signed with ‘WEBB’ and marked with the purity ‘18K’.



David Webb (1925-1975)

American jeweler David Webb was born in Asheville, North Carolina and came to New York as a young man to establish his business in 1948. He was self-taught, with an exceptional talent for color as evidenced by the large archive of original sketches he produced. Hammered gold, animal motifs, opaque enamels and bold color combinations--like coral and jade, or carved crystal with black onyx--were all trademarks of his bold designs, which are instantly recognizable. Upon his untimely death from pancreatic cancer at the age of 50, the business was carried on by Nina Silberstein, originally his accountant and then business partner, and her family. The firm filed for bankruptcy in 2009 and was then purchased by a group of estate jewelers/investors who continue his artistic legacy. David Webb jewelry has always been produced in its own workshops on their own premises in Manhattan, as it is today. Recently, the first retrospective exhibition of his work was held at The Norton Museum of Art in Palm Beach, accompanied by the publication of a book, "David Webb: The Quintessential American Jeweler", by Ruth Peltason.