CN73 Large Edwardian fibrous plaster cornice

Fibrous plasterwork is made up of Plaster of Paris [Gypsum] reinforced with a layer of hessian fabric and Timber Laths.

From around 1856 it has been widely used and is one of many Architectural innovations from the Victorian period.

Traditionally Decorative plasterwork was produced in a lime-based material and hand-modelled.

Gypsum was also used where locally available .

Fibrous Plaster offered many advantages, such as casting complex designs off site while buildings where constructed, Thus giving quicker installation times.

Fibrous Plasterwork could also be decorated much sooner than traditional lime plasterwork which needed more time to Carbonate and dry out before decoration.