Vintage David Webb Large White Enamel Frog Brooch with Ruby Eyes

Antique jewellery object group: brooch

Condition: excellent condition

Country of origin: USA

Style: Vintage

Period: ca. 1980

Source of inspiration: Mother Nature

Theme: Frog – Being primarily water creatures, frogs are also held in high regard. Aside from the traditional symbol of cleansing and healing, frogs are sometimes held in Celtic cultures as monarchs. In the Chinese tradition, the frog is a female spirit(yin). A frog is thought to bring good luck and abundance.

Material: 18ct yellow gold (touchstone tested)

Technique: Enamelling is an old and widely-adopted technology. The ancient Egyptians applied enamels to pottery and stone objects. The ancient Greeks, Celts, Russians, and Chinese also used enamelling processes on metal objects. Enamel is the colourful result of fusing powdered glass to a substrate by firing, usually between 750 and 850 degrees Celsius. The powder melts and flows and hardens to a smooth, durable vitreous coating on metal, glass or ceramic. According to some sources, the word enamel comes from the High German word smelzan (to smelt) via the Old French esmail. Used as a noun, “an enamel” is a usually small decorative object, coated with enamel coatings, such as a champlevé or a cloisonné (different techniques).

Extra information: David Webb – David Webb (1925-1975) was an American jeweller. On July 28, 1948, he founded David Webb, the company, which opened at 2 West 46th Street. The company’s logo is a zebra. Among his clients were Elizabeth Taylor, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Barbra Streisand. Helen Mirren, Jennifer Garner and Beyoncé have also worn his jewellery.

Born in Asheville, North Carolina in 1925, Webb was a self-taught designer whose work included dragon bracelets, Maltese cross brooches and animal motifs. In 1964, The Duke of Windsor purchased a bracelet for his wife. Diana Vreeland, a noted columnist and editor of Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue, was often seen with a David Webb black-and-white enamel zebra bangle.

A book about his work, David Webb: The Quintessential American Jeweler by Ruth Peltason, was published in 2013. In 2014, a retrospective exhibition was mounted at Norton Museum of Art in Palm Beach.

David Webb has flagship boutiques in both New York City on Madison Avenue and Rodeo Drive at The Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

From: Wikipedia.

Precious stones: Two rubies

Birthstones: Ruby is the birthstone (or month stone) for July.

Brand: David Webb

Signature: David Webb

Hallmarks: “© DAVID WEBB ®” and “18K” indicating 18ct gold

Dimensions: 4,40 cm (1,73 inch) x 3,10 cm (1,22 inch) – See picture with a ruler in cm and inches

Weight: 52,00 gram (33,44 dwt)