Advice on the best way to restore coving features

[NStewart]

I have some simple decorative coving features in the hallway of my terraced house - in particular the 'ladies heads' that you see in many old houses.

Unfortunately the previous owners seem to have covered them in several layers of ugly gloss paint so that fine features have been lost.

I would be really grateful for any advice as to the best way to restore them without the risk of damage. A friend recommeded a 'heat gun' - could this damage the plaster?

Any help appreciated.

 

[Gervase]

The plaster will be immune to heat, but that will only get the modern stuff off - to get the heads pristine will, I'm afraid, take a fair bit of delicate and painstaking work with some fiddly tools. If you do a search on 'plaster cornice' here you should get some pointers.

 

[Nemesis]

Strippers of Sudbury may be of use, and SPAB has a publication on decorative plaster, as does the Victorian Society I think.

Fiddly tools - dentistry comes into it I think?