Those are coated insulated copper wire used in the winding of a power transformer. Can be purchase from an electronics store. They are all connected to a DC power supply (from a old printer). So a flip of a switch, all the LEDs will light up. Save the hassle of battery replacement, and you don't have to turn on the toy LED 1 by 1.
overall 4m in length, 40cm in depth.
And if anyone is interested, here's more of my other collection in my other room:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v75/jonwayne/Theatre_Room/