David Webb is probably the foremost American jewelry designer. His impact on the jewelry business can best be summed up by a statement in the 90s by Hidalgo, a multiple winner of the Jewelers of America Jewel Award when he said "Webb was, I think, the most prolific designer of this century and I think unequaled."
David Webb grew up in Asheville, North Carolina which has a long arts and crafts tradition. He started work in his uncle's silver factory at age 14 and left to seek his dreams in New York three years later.
Once in New York, his design flair eventually became apparent and, in 1948, he was able to team up with Nina Silberstein, an accountant, who raised the funds needed to start the business and then ran the business so Webb could concentrate on design. Nina and her family still run the David Webb Company today.
Webb is known as a designer that took chances and worked with a variety of unusual materials. While his cuff links do not reflect the breath of materials used in other jewelry, they do reflect the spectrum of designs. Webb drew many of his designs based on nature, (top right) some, like this nautilus, fairly realistic, and others, like his enamel animals, being more whimsical. His best seller is probably the green frogs, but he used many colors with my particular favorites being the red frogs and the blue lions.
Webb also found inspiration in the many ancient designs. You can find pieces reminiscent of ancient Egypt, Greece and Japan. He sometimes used the Japanese mixed metal concept, the type used for a Samurai's armor, in cuff links (bottom right)
Webb's effect on style was best stated by Hollywood Stylist Anna Roth when she said "It's not only quality of the workmanship, which is impeccable, The pieces are bold and unique. When you want to make an elegant statement you can count on David Webb."
Yes,
David Webb cuff links are bold, and to me, fun. They are excellent for that elegant statement, but are not for the faint of heart.
