Plaster Friezes

Subtly giving identity to a room

A band running around the top of the room with a pattern in relief can make a nice addition to a cornice or stand alone without. They were a popular way of adorning a room with an illustrative band or pattern whether it is complex or modest. The best of which often depict a story or have a symbolic meaning. The tale of the garden of eden is a popular story appearing in lots of early pargetry. Jacobean strapwork is also a common feature of the time. 

Here is an example of a commissioned arts and crafts style frieze in the style of the designer Ernest Gimson. The piece was modelled in clay before silicone molds were made and plaster casts poured. The plaster casts are then left to dry before being plastered into the wall.

The plaster frieze can also be modelled in lime plaster or soft cast with a wooden hand carved mould. Once a wooden negative has been carved a hairy lime plaster can be pushed into the mould. This is similar to making Speculous biscuits, it is an art which seems simple in practice but requires a perfect understanding of dough consistency and shear ‘nack’ to prevent it from sticking.