Inspiration: over the years I traveled to many countries of the world, and made many quilts inspired by my travels. But there is one country that has a special place in my heart. I feel that I owe this country so much, I will never be able to give back enough for what this country gave to me.

Vytis  [‘vîːtɪs], the knight on horseback, is one of the oldest coats of arms of European countries. The first image of the charging knight depicted on the seal of the Grand Duke goes back to the 1366. The earliest coins featuring the knight come from the last quarter of the 14th century; the other side of these coins depicts the Columns of Gediminas (Gedimino Stulpai). Columns are one of the earliest symbols of this country.
These emblems were handed down through the generations and restored as the symbols of the country every time the country got independence from an aggressive  neighbor.

This is a stylized image of the Vytis that I must give credit to the unknown author.
The original Vytis on the coat of arms of the country wears a shield over his left shoulder with a golden double cross on it. The double cross has been accepted as a symbol of the country since 1388.
As my knight doesn’t wear a shield, I embroidered the double cross in the lower left corner, as well I embroidered Columns of Gediminas on the right lower corner.
There is much more history to tell you about the country and the emblems that represent it, but I try to keep it short.
Hope, you all guessed the name of the country? I haven’t mentioned it!

The off white rider and a horse are made of commercial batik, fused and zigzag stitched to the read background. The red piece of linen is hand applique to the unbleached linen background and hand stitched. Unbleached linen background is also hand stitched with linen yarn.

The double cross and Columns of Gediminas are hand embroidered.

The original coat of arms: