Project Synopsis:
My current research shows four
different types of jewellery chains found in graves associated to several Viking
and Northern European
cultures. I will be expanding my research, experimenting with various
techniques to reproduce versions of extant pieces, and writing an article that
will
- discuss each type extant chain
- share my conclusions as to
which technique is used to make various artifacts
- provide how-to instructions
for at least three of the four techniques. I haven't figured out how to make
the fourth type yet.
Outline:
- Introduction and purpose of
publication
- Overview of the cultural
groups/peoples I am referring to as Vikings & geographical dispersion of
extant pieces.
- Chains made by working lengths
of wire around a dowel to produce hollow tubes (Some call this method
plaiting, others
trichinopoly chainwork) ---Tomenterä, Stenberger
- Chains made by working lengths
of wire around a hollow device with four nails to produce hollow tubes (Some
call this method trichinopoly chainwork, others spool knitting) ---Wilson &
Blunt, Coatsworth & Pinder
- Chains made by connecting
elongated jump rings together to produce solid chains (agreement by all
sources that this method is a type of loop-in-loop chainwork) ---Stenberger,
Stark, Tomenterä, Graham-Campbell
- Chains made by an as yet
unknown to me method to interweave lengths of wire together to produce a
hollow tube (Some call this interweave) --Tomenterä,
Stenberger
- Chains appearing to be made in
a Sprang-like fashion--Stenberger
- Conclusion
- Works Citied/Bibliography
- How to make a chain in the
plaiting/trichinopoly technique
- How to make a chain in the
trichinopoly/spool knitting technique
- How to make a chain in a
double loop-in-loop technique (following Stark's instructions)
- How to make a chain in via
interweave.
- How to make a chain using a
sprang technique.
This will take a bit of time to put
together, but I think it will be worth it. I'd like to present as complete a
picture as possible, even if leading authorities disagree on some points. I'll
share the research, my conclusions and how others can make their own chains and
watch future research to see which conclusions are supported and which are
refuted.
This project is currently stalled.
I am considering planning a scholarly trip to Europe in 2008 with the goal of
studying selected extant chains held two major museums (England and Sweden).
This will take planning and communication to make happen.
jewelryhistorian AT jewelryhistorian DOT com