| History of wire wrapping
History books and scholars credit the Phoenicians with the invention of wire wrapped jewellery around 1250 BC. However, biblical records mention the "Breastplate of Aaron" which was set in gold filigree, a process where gold or silver was hammered into thin sheets, cut into strips and filed to make wire which was then woven. Religious experts have dated this event close to 1446 BC, placing the roots of wire wrapping approximately 1000 years before than the Phoenicians. Egyptian history shows that between 1900 and 1800 BC the adornments on sarcophagi underwent a change from the traditional style of layering thin sheets of gold to one that incorporated woven strands of silver and gold. This coincides with the Hebrew's migration to Egypt to avoid the famine in Israel, suggesting that they brought this art form with them.
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| Throughout the emergence and
growth of the Phoenician Empire (1250 to 500 BC), wire production remained
unchanged. Being an enterprising, marine trading people, their art
form became renowned throughout the world and their jewellery a much sought
after prize. With the rise of the Roman Empire, Phoenician trade
diminished and died out. Traditional silver smithing was more popular
with the Roman culture, and wire wrap art was abandoned.
It wasn't until the 8th century that drawn wire made an appearance, and the first people to capitalize on business profits were the French in 1270 AD. In Medieval times, gold and silver wire was transported by knights to England which was used for chains and armor mail. Wire wrapping itself was limited to religious symbols and fastenings for crucifixes. England's first recorded commercial production of wire wasn't until 1465. In the late 1800's , Bohemian necklaces of wire strung glass and stone chips gained popularity with the European aristocracy; a love affair that would last approximately 50 years. These became status symbols and opened the door for craftsmen to produce imitations, much the way it is today. The Victorian Era gave birth to the ever popular cameo, and with it, wire wrap sculpture. The two went hand in hand, flourishing for a number of years as artists created signature pieces that were handed down from generation to generation, before the art form faded into obscurity. After the first World War, an artist by the name of C. G. Oxley is credited with the resurgence of the art. He designed a popular line of jewellery with the use of glass beads and simple wire designs that lasted through the 20's and 30's. Their enterprise closed in the mid 80's, but not before it caught the eye of Jim Llewellyn. Together with his wife Mavis, they emigrated to Canada where he turned his hobby into a business. Today, the Llewellyn family carry on their proud heritage, through books, magazines and professionally created jewellery that is available at their store in Stratford, Ontario, Canada. Thanks to his passion, hundreds of wire artists now fashion a full spectrum of jewellery from rings to stickpins across North America.
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