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Betony Vernon "Sleeping Ring" Small Sterling Silver 925, Ruby, Pearls in Stock

About the Item

The "Sleeping Ring" was designed by Betony Vernon in 1998 and manufactured in lost wax elements. Part of the iconic "Tokens of Paradise Collection", it is a discreet and humorous symbol of virility and sensual vitality made for all genders. The ring reveals its sensual nature to attentive eyes only. This unique design offers a vision of the male organ that we are not accustomed seeing nor celebrating. Normally represented throughout history in art and architecture as a turgid symbol of performance and capacity, the "Sleeping Ring" honors virility at rest. Both majestic and humble, it is here represented in its most ordinary physical state. One must never underestimate the potential that the organ holds secretly within whilst at ease. Intended as a talisman, the "Sleeping Ring" can be worn as a powerful fertility symbol as well as a protective shield. The "Sleeping Ring" is available in a small and a large version, the small version being more delicate for small fingers. Material: Sterling Silver 925 Hall marks: BV-925 + producer mark Handcrafted in Italy, all BV materials are cruelty-free

Creator:
Betony Vernon
Ring Size:
8 US, Resizable
Metal:
Sterling Silver
Stone:
Pearl,Ruby
Stone Cut:
Brilliant Cut
Weight:
14 g
Style:
Contemporary
Place of Origin:
Italy
Period:
1990-1999
Date of Manufacture:
2022
Condition:
Seller Location:
Rome, IT
Reference Number:
Seller: A249RP1stDibs: LU2020221080952

Shop All Betony Vernon

Betony Vernon

The paradigm shift took place over lunch in Florence, Italy, circa 1992. Betony Vernon, a striking flame-haired jewelry designer, was showing off her most recent creation: the 18-karat-gold O-ring, designed with a nod to a bondage collar, with a smaller ring affixed to its front.

Playfully, Vernon's partner put his pinky through the smaller ring as she donned the larger one. Then, the unexpected happened. “There was an electric impulse running through this piece,” she recalls. “We both felt it.” The feeling changed her life. “That was the moment I knew that jewelry can provide sensation and reinforce an intimate bond.”

Enabling others to experience electric moments like that — to “bring luxury, fantasy and sensual possibilities to the fine-jewelry world” — has been Vernon's aim ever since. “Sex and luxury were never associated,” she noticed, and the jewelry designer set out to change that. The result was her 1992 Sado-Chic collection, which became the Paradise Found collection.

Vernon grew up in Virginia and studied art history, religion and goldsmithing at Virginia Commonwealth University. Following her graduation in 1990, she moved to Florence, later earning a master’s in industrial design from the Domus Academy in Milan. Europe has been home ever since.

Vernon's designs are provocative, sexy. But if you look no further than that, you’re missing a much bigger (and more interesting) point. Vernon’s rings, necklaces, bracelets and other accessories represent a vital part of what she sees as her life’s mission.

“Pleasure,” she explains, “has been associated with sin, wrongness and naughtiness, not with joy, happiness and bonding.” Vernon has set out to demolish that “pleasure taboo.”

So, how is pleasure reflected in the design of Vernon's jewelry (and remember, we are talking sensuality not sexuality)? Early in the design process, she asks, “How many senses can I turn on?” Every detail relates to a sensual experience.

That crisp snap a clasp makes when opening or closing? A pleasure to the ear.

The softness and spring of noble metals, silver and gold? A pleasure to the touch.

And always, Vernon believes, jewelry embodies memory, legacy. A pleasure for the soul.

Find a collection of Betony Vernon jewelry on 1stDibs.