Similar to the lynx, this animal has been threatened with extinction by the decline of Polish forests. Once common throughout the country, it almost disappeared from Poland in the 1970s, when fewer than a hundred individuals remained. In 1998, the wolf was declared a protected species and, as a result, there are now more than a thousand in various parts of the country.
Wolves have a special place in Polish culture. They are a symbol of wildness, but also of protectiveness. In Polish artwork, artists have often emphasised their aggressive nature. One such artist was Alfred Wierusz-Kowalski, who painted the late 19th-century piece entitled ‘Wolves attacking a Sleigh’. Indeed, it it true that wolves form packs which hunt large animals such as elk and deer, even attacking humans in rare cases.
However, the wolf can also have positive connotations: It is a symbol of strength, independence, and courage. It embodies teamwork, as wolves work most effectively in a pack. The fear inspired by the wolf is sometimes used to gain psychological advantage and as such is often referenced by military groups, sports clubs, and music bands.
This animal has inspired the creation of a unique bracelet. In the centre is a deeply carved image of a wolf evoking a variety of emotions, from awe to dread. The rest of the bracelet is a thick double chain with a royal weave, completed with fittings. The rugged finish of scratches and abrasions accentuates the wild nature of this creature.
