An Ornamental Diversion & Project Postponement

Hello Friends!

Well...we are in the middle of a hiatus on our project due to the coronavirus pandemic shutting down the Milwaukee MakerSpace. However, in light of this situation, we wanted to post something. So, we'd like to take a bit of a diversion away from making weapons to making jewelry - jewelry appropriate to the era of the rest of the project, the 5th century BC. Archaeologically, when a new metal was introduced (in this case iron, hence the "Iron Age"), artisans usually experimented with it by making jewelry first, then tools and weapons.

While at the MakerSpace in early March, we decided to take a crack at making an arm-ring and a neck-ring, also known as a torc. In the Iron Age, men and women wore both of these types of jewelry. The processes for making both pieces are very similar; they both involve squaring round bars of mild (softer) steel. To square a rounded bar, we start by flattening the bar on one side, then turn the bar 90 degrees and repeat the process; while doing this, it is helpful to develop a striking rhythm (*dink*...turn...*dink*).

After squaring the bar, we measure the appropriate areas of wrist and neck circumference, but leave a little extra material for working. Then, using two different kinds of vices, we add decorative twists to the metal. This process is long and arduous. It requires many trips back to the furnace and, occasionally, additional hands to help! After the twisting pattern is applied, it becomes a matter of bending the objects into the desired shapes.

For the initial bend of the arm-ring, we used the curvature of the stationary vice. Next, we refined the curve and added a decorative bend to the ends using what are called "scrolling tongs." Scrolling tongs have a cone-shaped head, allowing bending and curving without adding creases to the metal.

Since one of us already had a torc that fit us, we used this as a template, measuring and bending a steel rod around a large five-foot-tall metal cone which blacksmiths call a "mandrel." Using the scrolling tongs, we created a similar curve to that of the arm-ring on one end, but hammered out a decorative leaf on the other.

Finally, we used a new tool - a pneumatic sand-blaster - a tool which the ancient Celts did NOT have, but would have greatly appreciated! Sand-blasting strips surface impurities off the metal, allowing a smooth surface for final polishing. Using a wire-wheel, we gave our pieces an initial polishing, resulting in a shiny, silvered look. On the torc, we immediately applied a metal polish to maintain the bright sheen. For the arm-ring, however, we let it "age" for several weeks - allowing the metal to dull and acquire an antiqued finish.

The finished torc

Detail of the leaf on the torc

The finished arm-ring

The arm-ring when worn on the wrist

We will try to continue to post blog entries, but there might be longer intervals in between updates. We hope everyone is staying safe and healthy!