Victorian Plaster Coving

Before the Victorian period, plaster cornice had to be cast out of wet plaster. In position on the ceiling, by running a wooden template over it to shape it to the desired profile.

This was an expensive and skilled process, which meant the plaster cornice was only found in the homes of the wealthy.

However, in the Victorian period, improvements in mould-making and manufacturing meant that cornice could be made using a mould on a bench and transported in lengths, usually between 8-10 feet, to site, where it was fitted by tradesmen in much the same way as we still do today.

More about our Victorian Plaster Coving & Cornice

By 1860, Britain produced 60% of the world's iron and steel, and made 40% of the world's manufactured goods. Numbers that seem incredible today. This great wealth, generated by being the richest country in the world, paid for the enormous building boom of the Victorian period, when over 5 million houses were built.

Even today, Victorian houses still account for one in five houses in this country.

All of these houses would originally have had a full set of decorative plaster mouldings, plaster cornice, plaster ceiling roses, and often plaster panel mouldings and corbels.

In the past, some of these features have been removed or covered up. But now, they firmly back in fashion with Victorian houses being lovingly restored all over the country.

Our most popular Victorian cornice is probably the Swan neck profile. Designs such as LPC073 and MPC065 will be instantly recognisable to anybody familiar with Victorian houses.

Along with plaster cornice, we have a full range of Victorian ceiling roses designs. Popular examples of which are LPR026 and LPR070. Two stunning ceiling roses, featuring a sunflower and peacock feather design, respectively.

Frequently asked questions

How quickly can I have delivery?

We use our own vans and drivers to deliver coving. Our products are fragile and need to be handled carefully. Using our own transport ensures your coving arrives in good condition and customers are kept up to date with progress on the day of delivery. We deliver to the vast majority of the UK within five working days, often sooner. If you live in an isolated area, deliveries will be less frequent than somewhere like the centre of London, where we have multiple vans every day. If you have an urgent delivery requirement, please call our customer services team on 0333 043 1471, who will be able to tell you our latest delivery schedules. Alternatively, you can check our nationwide UK coving delivery index for typical delivery times to your area.

How is your coving priced?

The price quoted is per metre and includes VAT. Please note the price is not per length: just enter the number of metres you need and we will work it out to the nearest length.

Can you recommend a fitter?

Yes, we have good links with professional cornice fitters throughout the country and are able to recommend tradesmen in most areas. Please call 0333 043 1471 for details.

Do you sell matching ceiling roses?

Yes, we have a range of Victorian plaster ceiling roses from the plain to the highly ornate. We also have a range of original Victorian timber skirting boards and architraves, which are increasingly difficult to find these days.