Handforged cloak ring brooch

[launditch1]

Heres one of my brooches that i make.Based on an ancient design that goes back to at least roman times..
I make these from 2mm wire.For the ring part i tie a bundle of four wires together and fireweld the ends,i repeat this on the other end of wires and then twist.
The pin is made from three wires firewelded and twisted.
When i first tried this i failed because my anvil was too far away from my forge(..and its onlly a step away!)the metal cooled too much and the weld failed.So now i have a very small anvil actually in my forge right next to the fire.No more failed welds.Enough now!Pictures...

 

[Matt.S]

I like that launditch! Were the period artefacts forge from the same size of wire? If so that indicates a lot of labour to draw the stock down to wire (IIRC iron wire pulling is undocumented in Roman period).

 

[launditch1]

Im not absolutly sure these things were made from iron...Certainly iron brooches existed.Ive seen viking bracelets and brooches made from twisted silver wire.
Its just something i made one day to practise firewelding..
I know for sure that wire drawing is a very old process and i think it must have been known to the romans.This style of brooch was popular in the Roman and saxon periods(broadly speaking..)

I wouldnt lke to try drawing a bar out to 2mm!!

 

[Glosfisher]

The Late Bronze Age-Early Iron Age transition (800-650BC) sees iron regularly being used for cloak pins and brooches because of its novelty.

I suspect they prevented them from rusting by coating them in beeswax and burnishing

 

[jungle_re]

great work i really like it

 

[climberslacker]

I dont understand what exactly its for. If I understand correctly it would be used at the neck of a cloak to keep it closed, is that correct?

pardon my idiocy Im just 14!

-CS

 

[climberslacker]

Also... I really like it. im going to lear how to backsmith this summer, so hopefully i will be able to make these sooner or later

 

[Dave Budd]

I've seen penanular brooches made from twisted silver, gold or copper alloy (bronze) but never iron wire. Like Matt says, wire drawing is a lot of labour but it was certainly being done by the roman period (even in iron).

I tend to stick to a solid bar for my brooches, it's a lot easier Mind you I may give that a go just for a giggle at a show

 

[launditch1]

I dont understand what exactly its for. If I understand correctly it would be used at the neck of a cloak to keep it closed, is that correct?

pardon my idiocy Im just 14!

-CS

You are spot on!

 

[launditch1]

Mind you I may give that a go just for a giggle at a show

Post the pics if you do!

 

[Snufkin]

Very nice. I've not had any success with forge welding yet. I haven't given it a go for a while mind you...

 

[launditch1]

Just keep at it and you will get it.

Took me many attempts to get a good weld.Ive had more success since i started using a flux (borax)

Thanks for kind words!

 

[British Red]

I get bored with authenticity to be honest its the refuge of the highly nerdy!

I say this as a a guy who worked in antiques professionally. I have picked up some fantastic pieces of furniture for a song because they are either "marriages" (cut and shut) or "not in original condition" (show me an original condition refectory table and I'll show you a fake). I can also tell the difference between first and second edition Hogarth engravings - really - who cares?

Its a great piece in a traditional pattern. Neither the materials nor the specific fabrication are original - I like it all the more for that (not being a "period nazi").

Great work - make me one next time?

Red

 

[launditch1]

Thanks!Yeah ok no problem...

I didnt make this as an exact historic replica.Just copied the design in my own way.Using modern materials but ancient tecniques.