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Jewel of the Month, Part I: Swords for Badass Women

October 8, 2018 by WendyB

Here’s a much-needed good omen! Last week, it was announced that an eight-year-old girl named Saga Vanecek had pulled a 1,500-year-old sword out of a lake in Sweden this summer. I hope you will join me in swearing an oath of fealty to our appropriately named new leader.

Click to read the full story on The Local.

I had swords on my mind before reading about Saga, so October’s first Jewel of the Month is one of my classic designs: My Matilda sword earrings.

Click to use the zoom functionality on my website.

I’ve featured the Matilda before. In 2016, for instance, I wanted to share the Matilda because of a fun video that gorgeous jewelry blogger Becky Stone took of the necklace version.

View this post on Instagram

…I was trying to make a cute little video of this badass @wendybrandesjewelry sword pendant sliding in and out of its scabbard. #uncomfortablysexualjewelryvideos #jewelryporn

A post shared by Becky Stone 💎 (@diamondsinthelibrary) on Jun 16, 2016 at 8:34am PDT

My renewed Matilda fixation is driven by the horrifying state of our country, which apparently makes me want weaponry not covered by the 2nd Amendment. I didn’t expect to be suddenly obsessed with the Matilda designs. My 18K gold pieces are either one of a kind or, like the Matilda, limited-edition, so if you had asked me a month ago, I probably would have said that the earrings I have in stock were your last chance to get a Matilda style. Now, however, I’m itching to create an extended collection of sword jewelry (maybe I’d throw in some maces, battle axes, crossbows, war hammers, and/or spears for variety). I think there would be strong demand, because I’m not the only woman with swords on the mind: On Saturday, shortly after I posted the Matilda necklace on my personal Instagram, I came across this post from @rachelmakesmesses of “Judith Slaying Holofernes” by 17th-century artist Artemisia Gentileschi .

View this post on Instagram

This is Judith Slaying Holofernes, by Artemisia Gentileschi. If you're not familiar with the piece, it depicts the biblical tale of Judith beheading her rapist. In 1611 the artist was raped at 17 by her painting tutor, and when she had him prosecuted, she was tortured to verify she was telling the truth. Artemisia used herself as the model for Judith, and her rapist as the model for Holofernes. Her paintings often depicted graphic violence against men by women. She was quite rich and successful. #revengeisadishbestservedcold #novemberiscoming #rememberthe6thofnovember

A post shared by Rachel (@rachelmakesmesses) on Oct 6, 2018 at 2:51pm PDT

“What a coincidence,” I thought, as I reposted “Judith” on my account, followed by a photo of the Matilda earrings. Then I saw this post from @therealerinsimon, featuring Luciano Garbati’s 2008 sculpture of Medusa holding a sword in one hand and the head of Perseus.

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BE THANKFUL.

A post shared by Erin (@therealerinsimon) on Oct 7, 2018 at 9:05am PDT

That’s when it hit me that it wasn’t a coincidence: Women with swords are a WHOLE MOOD right now.

A vintage Matilda earring shot from W Magazine.

The story of Empress Matilda — the inspiration for the earrings and necklace that bear her name — is perfectly suited to that mood. Matilda was the rightful heir to England’s throne in the 12th century. Her cousin, Stephen, stole it from her with the help of powerful nobles who betrayed their sworn allegiance to Matilda because they wanted a male ruler. Matilda declared war, and went on to fight for her rights for 19 years. Nineteen! You can find out what happened by reading my original series of Matilda history posts.

  • Empress Matilda, Part I
  • Empress Matilda, Part II
  • Empress Matilda, Part III

I need an old-fashioned patron — one who recognizes that high jewelry is art — to sponsor a full Matilda collection. Imagine if I could do the works: a new necklace style, a new earring style, bracelets, a brooch, a tiara, even chainmail! In 2017, I was creating jewelry that served as psychological armor; now I crave real armor, and I’m not alone. Where is the partner who will enable me to fully unleash my imagination? Is there a Tinder for artists? I’m a Hans Holbein, desperately seeking her (non-tyrant-y) Henry VIII!

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Filed Under: earrings, featured jewel, inspiration, jewel of the month, Jewelry Tagged With: empress matilda, king stephen, medusa

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. HelOnWheels says

    October 9, 2018 at 6:39 pm

    “Listen. Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.” 😉

    • WendyB says

      October 10, 2018 at 12:05 am

      Oddly, I’ve had the soundtrack from Spamalot stuck in my head for weeks now.

  2. Peggy Jo Donahue says

    October 9, 2018 at 10:14 pm

    I hear your call, oh great one!

    • WendyB says

      October 10, 2018 at 12:04 am

      Swords, swords everywhere.

  3. Lynn says

    October 9, 2018 at 11:33 pm

    I love the sound of that collection. Maces for the Masses!

    • WendyB says

      October 10, 2018 at 12:04 am

      Ha ha! Great tag line.

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MEET WENDY BRANDES

Award-winning designer of fine jewelry inspired by women's history and pop culture. A former journalist who writes about jewelry, fashion, medieval history, news, feminism, dogs, cats and whatever else is on her mind. Blogging since 2007.
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