‘The ReBelles’, takes inspiration from heroines throughout history, celebrating their achievements, intellects, and courage. Comprising of seven limited-edition made-to order cocktail rings, each piece showcases Stephen Webster’s impeccable craftsmanship and attention to detail and is bursting with unique personality and charisma, referencing the heroine who inspired it.
“Each cocktail ring has its own individual story, connected only as a collection by the fact that each piece is inspired by a strong powerful women throughout history, and in all walks of life. Specialist jewellery techniques feature across the seven cocktail rings, with a combination of stones that I find work together but may surprise people. This approach plays to our strength, incorporating everything we possibly can in regards to our skills and craftsmanship, and visualising this into a collective. This is really us at our best.”
- Stephen Webster, MBE.
INTRODUCING DOUBLE DUTCH
Inspired by Mata Hari
Margaretha Zelle was born in Leeuwarden Holland in 1876 and had a somewhat tragic early life. Starting with her once-prosperous family losing everything after disastrous oil speculations and finishing with the divorce of her abusive husband and death of one of her children. Maragaretha turned to the study of Malaysian culture and dance whilst stationed in the Dutch East Indies. In an attempt to support herself, she worked as a circus performer, artist and model, before turning her hand to the latest art form emerging from the European nightlife scene, known as modern dance.
Moving to Paris, Margaretha combined her traditional Malaysian dance with something even more exotic, she completed the seductive mystery by assuming the persona of Mata Hari, a Javanese princess of Hindu birth and full of eastern promise. Carefree and provocative, she was often photographed in nothing more than a bejewelled breastplate and a nude body stocking, which she later discarded.
Penetrating the wealthiest and most influential circles, she inspired a myriad of impersonators. Her notorious sensuality and eroticism meant Mata was never short of suitors, high ranking officers, politicians and the idle rich across Europe. Her liaisons meant she regularly crossed borders, never feeling particularly aligned to any one nationality. As the Great War progressed, accusations started to fly that Mata Hari was, in fact, a double agent, used by both sides to spread covert material via the notoriously unreliable medium of ‘pillow talk’. Unable to defend her innocence and, to a certain extent, revelling in her notoriety, after intense interrogation by the French army, she was executed by firing squad in 1917.
Since then, there has been a swell of opinion that Margaretha Zelle was forced by circumstance and the times to reinvent herself as an instinct to survive. More a victim than a traitor.
The Double Dutch ReBelle, embodies Mata Hari’s exotic ways with a central Peridot and Diamond surround and a Diamond jewellery snake. Representing her sensual dance moves the mount is crafted with bejewelled hands in 18ct rose Gold, set with a Diamond jewellery snake, Rubies and pink Sapphires, and tassels hanging draws reference from her seductive costumes. The Double Dutch Ring is symbolic in remembering the strength Mata Hari endured to survive.
Limited production of 10 per design, each ReBelle is numbered and engraved with their individual name. Discover the collection online here or exclusively at our Mount Street Salon, click here for directions.
