'Crimes Of Fashion' Blogger Revelas Hidden Talent
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David Webb Files Chapter 11 {Luxist}
Jun 25th 2009 4:55PM David had a "gift" for jewelry design. He captured his creations from nature, his imagination, mythology and/or his own life experiences. He knew what he wanted the customer to "see" in his jewelry and was relentless in his demands to achieve that end. He surrounded himself with people who shared his insight and who had the skill to complete his dreams. . Only about three of these precious original craftsmen have survived David today and remain. In the 1960's David Webb, Inc had at least eight times that number of skilled employees at each specialty position working out of two shops in New York City alone. Now, simply put, how can such a small number of David Webb's hand picked artists be expected to keep up the quality of work that it took so many to bring to life? One must keep in mind that there is no "leader" left to give guidance as to how "David would have wanted it done". Most of David's confidants left rather than tolerate the Silberstein's business ways.
For example: the final word on all authentication's is by a man who was hired, as a line jeweler in the 1980's. Now when an estate dealer goes into David Webb, Inc to get an older piece of Webb jewelry(before 1980) authenticated, the chances of that happening are nil. Then that same dealer has to go through the tedious task of researching for the original receipt, and taking it back to David Webb, Inc.. After all of that time, David Webb, Inc., will say they have to do "research" for an hour or two, then finally will authenticate the same piece that they themselves testified was a "knock off". To give their authenticator a bit of a break, how could he ever recognize the craftsmanship of the old masters when he, himself was not was not hired before 1980 therefore has never been exposed to the grand old pieces? Why David Webb, Inc., doesn't hire someone to authenticate pieces who is familiar with the earlier pieces is beyond me , many other estate dealers and the industry as a whole.
J. Gruberth
David Webb Files Chapter 11 {Luxist}
Jun 25th 2009 9:13AM Since David's death in 1975 the Silbersteins have mismanaged and compromised the quality of his creations by changing the models for the sole reason of expediency therefore producing an inferior product that in no way represents "David Webb". This is what caused fifteen of the top model makers, the two formen that helped David build "David Webb" and myself to leave and start a new business (Andrew Clunn, Ltd) rather than stay and watch as "America's Jeweler's" vision be metamorphosed into nothing more than "craft".
True believers of David Webb were disgusted by Stanley Silberstein's comment on his web site asking that "all remember David Webb, the company--not David Webb the man". It was "the man" and his gift that should be David Webb, Inc, not the company that has raped his creations and contorted them into grotesque pieces of metal struggling to be recognized. Even worse, there was Nina Silberstein nagging all who can still tolerate hearing what she has to say, that is was herself who helped David start "David Webb,Inc" when it was really a dear and gentle lady, Antoinette Quilleret. Ms Quilleret was the co-founder and president of "David Webb, Inc" in 1945 as posted in the New York Times obituraries -Nov. 22, 1989. Ms Quilleret retired in 1963. Nina was simply David Webb's bookkeeper in the 1960's.
Today David must be smiling,
J. Gruberth
