A Glimpse into the David Webb Archives at NYC Jewelry Week 2025

How does a luxury American heritage brand best use its storied history in a contemporary way? Join jewelry and decorative arts historian Levi Higgs for a journey through the glittering David Webb archives to find out. He will expound upon the brand’s legacy, the ties to New York City, major design pillars, and archival initiatives the brand has taken on under his leadership, and touch on upcoming offerings in the December 4 Holiday Fine Jewelry Auction at Heritage.

Levi Higgs is the Head of Archives and Brand Heritage at David Webb and a renowned jewelry and decorative arts historian. A graduate of the Parsons MA program in the history of decorative arts and design at the Cooper Hewitt, Levi is a lecturer on Teaching Touchstones of Jewelry: History and Pop Culture for the Parsons History of Design and Curatorial Studies MA program. Levi has written extensively on jewelry for the Daily Beast and has given lectures at prestigious institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Rijksmuseum, and various auction houses. Currently, Levi works with the David Webb Archive to create an accessible database of original artwork and company information, researching the brand's history, and taking care of its entire historic narrative and material culture. Levi digitizes, researches, authenticates, and helps develop brand activations.

Heritage Auctions, founded in 1976, is the largest collectibles auctioneer, the third largest auction house worldwide, and the biggest founded in the U.S. Known for its professionalism and expertise, it has over 1.96 million registered bidders from 195 countries and leads the industry online. The company covers diverse categories such as coins, currency, fine art, comics, entertainment, jewelry, luxury items, sports, history, books, space, photography, science, and wine. Its website hosts millions of auction archives, serving as a key resource for collectors. Heritage has global offices in major cities across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, with its Fine Jewelry Department specializing in contemporary, vintage, and estate designer pieces.

Each November, NYC Jewelry Week proudly presents ‘The Week,’ a 7-day celebration dedicated to the art of jewelry. This annual festival invites a global audience to explore the world of jewelry through a dynamic mix of in-person and virtual experiences, spanning New York City and beyond. Our hybrid program features virtual programs streamed on YouTube alongside immersive on-site activities.

In-person, NYC Jewelry Week brings together leading figures in the jewelry industry to curate extraordinary experiences, including exhibitions, exclusive shopping opportunities, and retail collaborations. Attendees can also participate in insightful panel discussions that explore trends, challenges, and innovations in the field. Each event creates memorable jewelry moments that celebrate the creativity and craftsmanship of the industry.

Committed to inclusivity, many of our programs are free and open to the public. NYC Jewelry Week seeks to reshape how people view jewelry by inviting everyone to appreciate the artistry behind the scenes. Join us in celebrating the transformative power of jewelry and experience the beauty and innovation that define our community.

We look forward to welcoming you to NYCJW25!

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