Crispy

Here's an example of one of those fixtures without a junction box. It's in the second floor back hall.

Note the old knob-and-tube just poking through the plaster.

The wires are twisted together, tinned, and then wrapped in cloth tape.

The insulation on the knob-and-tube is pretty crispy and fragile, so I'm glad I'm replacing it.

This is likely an original fixture from when the house first was electrified.

Note the original ceiling color as well.  It's not too far off what we're planning to use for the wall color when all this is done.