Swallow Ring

Handmade sterling silver signet with hand carved swallow detail.

Swallow tattoos are one of those iconic naval designs from a time when the majority of people who got tattoos in western countries were sailors. Originally a swallow tattoo was earned every 5,000 nautical miles and according to the US Naval Institute, today a sailor earns a swallow every 10,000 nautical miles. Swallows were usually the first birds sailors saw when approaching land and they came represent homecoming. Another tradition was that if a sailor got a swallow tattooed on his collarbone, it would carry his soul to heaven if he drowned. The most common swallow design used today was created and made famous by pioneering World War II sailor-turned-tattoo artist Norman Keith Collins, Sailor Jerry.

"What I thinks is so interesting about traditional tattoos' connection to the navy is how it continues a history of tattooing being an art form of and for the people. It's art by and for the working classes, it doesn't live in a gallery or a palace it lives on the skin. A tattoo could be the only thing an anarchist and a sailor have in common in our modern world and I think there's something amazing about that." Bethany May Silver

Carved in wax first by Bethany, the illustrative design was carved by Calum Tattoo in his signature tattoo style. Bethany then casts each one from a mould into the desired recycled metal and finishes in her Bristol studio. Silver pieces are oxidised to bring out the detail.

Gold pieces are made to order please allow two weeks for delivery.