Thomas Gunn Miniatures ROM147 The Empress

Thomas Gunn Miniatures ROM147 The Empress. The Empress, nearly nude in a military cloak. Historians have written how numerous Emperors used to get the Empress to parade around in various stages of undress for his own and others delight at social gatherings. Sometimes she would wear full military uniform and on other occasions less was declared best.

Mata Hari found fame as a performer of Asian-inspired dances in the early 1900s in Paris. She soon began touring all over Europe, telling the story of how she was born in a sacred Indian temple and taught ancient dances by a priestess who gave her the name Mata Hari, meaning "eye of the day" in Malay. In reality, Mata Hari was born in a small town in northern Holland in 1876, and her real name was Margaretha Geertruida Zelle.

She became a famous courtesan during WW1 and her lovers included high-ranking military officers. In early 1917, French authorities arrested her for espionage and imprisoned her in Paris. In a military trial conducted in July, she was accused of revealing details of the Allies' new weapon, the tank, resulting in the deaths of thousands of soldiers. She was convicted and sentenced to death and on October 15th 1917, refusing a blindfold was executed by a firing squad at Vincennes. The nature and extent of her espionage activities remain uncertain and her guilt is widely contested.
Thanks to Michael Beverland for suggesting this figurine for our Femme Fatale series, a sample has been posted to him for his contribution to Thomas Gunn. In all honesty, our Mata Hari would be equally at home in the 'Naughty Forties Club' or in this outfit would fit in just as easily with our Roman or Egyptian series.

Limited to 100 pieces, comes in a seductive pose on a specially commissioned plinth.