Highland folk vest
Crafted with meticulous care and imbued with the rich traditions of Polish highland culture, the hand-made Polish Highland folk vest is a testament to the artistry and craftsmanship passed down through generations. Each stitch tells a story, weaving together the vibrant tapestry of Polish heritage and identity. Adorned with intricate patterns and motifs inspired by nature and folklore, these vests are more than mere garments; they are symbols of pride and belonging, connecting wearers to their roots and the rugged beauty of the Tatra Mountains. Wearing a Polish Highland folk vest is not just a fashion statement; it is a tribute to the enduring spirit of the highland people and their timeless traditions.
An admiral’s captain’s hat, also known as a naval officer’s hat or simply a captain’s hat, is a traditional headgear worn by naval officers, particularly those holding the rank of captain or above. These hats typically feature a distinctive design, often characterized by a flat crown, a wide brim, and gold braided embellishments.
The design of the hat can vary depending on the specific naval tradition or country, but it generally symbolizes authority, rank, and professionalism within the naval hierarchy. In some navies, different styles of hats are worn by officers of varying ranks, with the admiral’s captain’s hat being reserved for high-ranking officers such as admirals, commodores, or captains of large vessels.
The hat may also be adorned with additional insignia or decorations to denote specific ranks, achievements, or affiliations within the naval service. These embellishments can include embroidered symbols, rank stripes, buttons, or badges denoting specialized roles or honors.
Overall, the admiral’s captain’s hat serves not only as a practical piece of headgear but also as a symbol of authority, leadership, and tradition within naval culture.
Leon Granacki’s favorite outdoor scenes were of rippling Minnesota streams, towering pine trees, and flocks of Canadian geese. His watercolors were exhibited widely and sold at local art fairs from the 1970s through 1990.
An Artist Goes to War: Leon Granacki in the South Pacific WWII
Like so many others who served in World War II, Leon Granacki was an ordinary guy from a working-class immigrant family drafted into the US Army and thrust into the horrors of war in the South Pacific. But through sheer luck and pluck, he leveraged his art talents to survive and thrive, catapulting himself from private infantryman to Master Sergeant and mapmaker for General MacArthur in the Americal Division’s Intelligence section. Inspired by the Southern Cross as his troop transport crossed the equator, he designed the Americal Division patch for the Army’s only named division, created in New Caledonia. Overseas for three-and-a-half years without any stateside furlough, he labored over maps of enemy positions in a primitive tent in the steamy, mosquito-infested jungles of Guadalcanal and Bougainville.
In An Artist Goes to War, author Victoria Ann Granacki paints a portrait of her father, Leon, through his original maps, jungle watercolors, journal illustrations, scrapbook photos, and letters home to “Dear Gang”—his extended Polish American family crowded together in a Chicago “six-flat” apartment building. Despite only slyly alluding to awful conditions to evade the censors’ scissors, his indomitable optimism always comes through. The Polish-language letters directed to his beloved parents are filled with childlike tenderness as he tries to reassure them he’ll be safe. His plaintive longings for family, holidays home, fishing, and a woman to love are poignant reminders of the personal effects of war on reluctant soldiers.
Pair of custom wood side tables – “The Mushrooms.”
Dimensions: 24×24″ tops, 22″ tall
Tops are Honey Locust rimmed with Black Walnut. Each top also has a brass cross inlay.
Bases are live edge trunks of White Cedar with a dark stain.