The Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach presents thefirst display of the intricate work of famed American jewelry designer David Webb. The exhibition, "David Webb: Society's Jeweler," will run from January 16th through April 13th, 2014 and will feature 80 examples of his masterful workmanship. A compilation of sketches, photographs and special displays give behind-the-scene insights into the making of Webb's dynamic jewelry.
Heraldic Maltese Cross Coral brooch, 1964. David Webb (American, 1925-1975). Cabochon green onyx, circular-cut diamond, sapphire, gold. Photography by Ilan Rubin.
"This exhibition will put Webb's designs in the context of his era and demonstrate how Webb perfectly met the needs and desires of that zeitgeist to create memorable and dazzling objects d'art," said Exhibition Curator Donald Albrecht. "At the height of his fame in the '60s and early '70s, he created official gifts of state for the White House. His client the Duchess of Windsor called him 'Fabergé reborn,' and Jacqueline Kennedy dubbed him a modern-day Cellini."
Necklace Sketch. David Webb (American, 1925-1975). Detailed with carved coral, emeralds, diamonds and black enamel. Courtesy of the David Webb Archive.
Influenced by his travels and frequent visits to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the mid-20thcentury tastemaker created distinctly modern, Pop-Art spins on historical forms and techniques from across the globe.
Coral Seahorse Brooch, 1966. David Webb (American, 1925-1975). Carved coral, circular-cut diamonds, Cabochon emeralds, platinum, gold. Photography by Ilan Rubin.
The exhibition will trace the evolution of Webb's style from his elegant variations on flowers in the 1950s to the muscular aesthetic of his Vogue-named "fantastic bestiary" that characterized his work in the 1960s and continued throughout the early 1970s.
Necklace Sketch, April 27, 1973. David Webb (American, 1925-1975). Courtesy of the David Webb Archive.
The exhibition's galleries will be designed by husband and wife, architect Peter Pennoyer and interior designer Katie Ridder, who also designed the David Webb Flagship boutique and atelier on Madison Avenue. The pair created the boutique as a series of stylish salons, and plan to create the same sense of luxury and intimacy for the galleries.
Architect Peter Pennoyer and Interior designer Katie Ridder. Photo Credit: Jay Ackerman
