CHAPTER XVI 
TWISTED WIRES 
Ornamental wires are. used in jewellery; in silversmiths' work, for the decoration of mouldings themselves; and alone, as in bangles. In ancient times many varieties were in use, both goldsmiths and armourers displaying con siderable ingenuity in inventing and combining different patterns. But in recent years little thought has been given to them, with the result that the varieties in use are now very few indeed. Curiously enough, the Japanese, to whom their decorative qualities might have been expected to appeal, have never shown any interest in them. Mediaeval armourers, on the contrary, found in them an unfailing jojr, as the numerous wire patterns to be found on sword-grips testify. Mediaeval silversmiths also, with their keen attention to every detail of the craft, invented and employed many beautiful examples. That numbered 7, below, for example, gives a most charming play of light and shade. That numbered 30 was used by the ancient Irish metalworkers for some of the splendid gold torques now in the Dublin Museum. Six dozen varieties of wire patterns are shown here, though the number might have been doubled without difficulty. But enough are given to suggest the wide choice open to one in the selection of an ornamental wire pattern for any purpose. The name of the museum in which the pattern was originally found is in some cases added to the description. 

1. Square wire twisted to right slowly 
2. Square wire twisted to right quickly. 
3. Square wire twisted to right quickly, afterwards drawn through round drawplate.  
4. Square wire twisted to right quickly, afterwards drawn through square drawplate. 
5. Square wire twisted to right intermittently. Grip in hand-vices with leather guards to jaws, or in wood clams. 
6. Square wire twisted intermittently to right and left in turn. 
7. Square wire twisted alternately to right and left. 
8. Flat strip twisted to right. 
9. Flat strip twisted alternately to right and left. 
10. Four square wires put together and twisted as one. (Bargello, Florence.) 
11. Two round wires twisted together quickly. 
12. Two round wires twisted together slowly. 
13. Two round wires twisted together and afterwards flattened. 
14. Two pieces of square wire each twisted to left, after wards put together and twisted to left. 
15. One piece of square wire twisted to right; this and a piece of round wire put together and twisted to right. 
16. Two pieces of square wire, one twisted to right and one to left, afterwards put together and twisted to left. The piece which was originally twisted to right is now nearly unwound owing to the left-hand twisting it has undergone. 
17. One piece of small twisted wire (two small wires twisted to left) and two large round wires put together and twisted to left. 
18. Four square wires each twisted to right, afterwards put together and twisted to right. * 
19. Two large round wires twisted to left and two strands of twisted wire (two small round wires twisted to left) wound in the grooves. 
20. Square wire twisted to right. A small round wire wound on alternate faces. 
21. Square wire twisted to left, one strand of small square wire twisted right wound on one face.  
22. Square wire twisted to right, a strand of square twisted wire wound on alternate faces. 
23. Square wire twisted to right, one round wire and two strands of twisted wire wound on alternate faces. 
24. Two strands of square wire twisted to right, put together and twisted to right; one strand of small beaded wire 
wound between. 
25. Four square wires put together and twisted as one. One strand removed and replaced by a strand of beaded 
wire. 
26. Flat strip twisted to right. 
27. Flat strip twisted to left, one strand small beaded wire wound on. 
28. Flat strip twisted to left, one strand twisted wire wound on. (British Mus.) 
29. Flat strip twisted to right, two strands twisted wire wound on. 
30. Thin strips soldered together to make a strip whose section is a cross (+). A round wire is temporarily laid in each gap (four). Strip and wires are then twisted as one mass. The four round wires are afterwards removed. (Nat. Mus., Dublin.) 
31. Thin strips soldered together to make a strip whose section is a cross (+). A round wire is temporarily laid in each gap (four). The wires in this case are gripped in the hand-vice wherever necessary, arid the twist to right or left made as required. 
32. Three strands twisted wires twisted together. One strand afterwards removed. 
33. One strand twisted wires and one strand round wire twisted together. 
34. One strand twisted wires and one strand round wire twisted together (slower twist). 
35. Two strands twisted wires twisted together. 
'36. Two strands twisted wires (three wires each) twisted together. 
37. Two strands twisted wires and one of round wire twisted together. 
38. Three strands twisted wires twisted together, one after wards removed and replaced by beaded wire. 
39. One plain round wire and two strands twisted wires put together and twisted. One strand of twisted wires, originally the same size as the other, has become partially unwound through being twisted in the contrary direction to that in which it was originally twisted. It was twisted to left at first. 
40. Three strands of twisted wires twisted together. One removed and replaced by a fresh strand twisted in the opposite direction. 
41. Three strands of twisted wires (two being right-hand twists, the third left-hand, all being of equal size) put together and twisted. A small round wire after wards wound between the two right-hand twists. Notice how the strand with a left-hand twist has become partially untwisted. 
42. Two strands twisted wire (right-hand twist) put together and twisted to left. Opening out. 
43. Two strands twisted wire (right-hand twist), left hand twisting continued. More open. 
44. Two strands twisted wire (right-hand twist), left-hand twisting carried still further. An entirely new pattern, triangular in section, is the result. 
45. Seven equal wires twisted to left loosely. 
46. Seven equal wires twisted to left tightly. 
47. Seven equal wires, two removed and replaced by strands of twisted wires. 
48. Two large round wires twisted together. Two small wires afterwards wound in the hollows. 
49. Two large round wires twisted together. Twisted wires in the hollows. 
50. Two large round wires twisted together. One strand beaded wire in the hollow. 
51. One round wire coiled on a larger wire.  
52. One round wire coiled on a larger wire, but pulled apart at intervals. 
53. Strand of twisted wires coiled on a large round wire. 
54. One plain wire coiled in groove of strand of twisted wire. 
55. Square wire twisted and covered with fine wire. 
56. Two round wires twisted together and covered with fine wire. 
57. One strand like No. 56 and one strand twisted wires (two round wires) twisted together. 
58. One strand round wire and one of twisted wires coiled on large wire. 
59. One strand square wire and one of twisted wires coiled on large wire. 
60. Similar to No. 58, but here the round wire is smaller than the twist. 
61. Three strands round wire and one of twisted wires coiled on large wire. 
62. One strand right-hand twisted wires, one of left and one round wire coiled on large round wire. 
63. Two small wires coiled on large round wire for six turns each. Then the two small wires are twisted together for a sufficient length to make, when wound round the large wire, three coils. Then the two wires are each wound six times round the large one and again twisted together for a short distance as before. It is well to make the commencement and finish of each section of twisted wire come on the same side of the large wire. The slight irregularity at the ends of the twisted portion may then be turned to the side of the work which will not be seen. 
64. Same as No. 62, with one slightly larger wire wound on afterwards. 
65. Two round wires twisted together. One removed. 
66. Square wire twisted,afterwards coiled openly on another which is finally removed. 
67. Flat strip coiled openly. 
68. Small round wire coiled right on large round wire. Strip coiled left openly over all. 
69. Two strands square wire twisted right, put together and twisted right. One afterwards removed. 
70. One strand small twisted wires coiled openly on small round wire. 
71. Strip and beaded wire coiled on round wire. 
72. Strip, one strand twisted wires and two small round wires coiled as above.