The twisted exposed wiring was pretty common back in the day.
This example is still live (230V) and used pretty much daily (light switch for an enclosed porch).
[Linked Image from electrical-photos.com]

Blends right in with the door frame, doesn't it?

The wooden wiremold seems to have been more of a UK/Ireland thing, sometimes it can still be found, such as in the Belfast Hostel Paddy's Palace in 2008:
[Linked Image from electrical-photos.com]
As you can see, the electricians didn't want to touch the plaster crown moulding and just ran the individual conductors exposed.