pargeting

Pargetting, also known as pargetry, is decorative plasterwork applied to interior or exterior walls. It involves lime plaster that is applied to a prepared substrate and then molded, incised, or stamped to produce relief patterns, figures, or scenes. Pargetting can cover timber-framed walls, brick, or other surfaces, and is often seen on facades as well as on ceilings and interior walls.

The technique typically begins with a lime-based render over a suitable substrate, such as wattle-and-daub or brick. A base coat is followed by a finishing plaster, which is worked while pliable to create raised motifs. Patterns may be formed by carving, stamping with molds, or applying pre-shaped elements that are pressed into the soft plaster. Finishes are usually limewashed or painted to protect and highlight the relief.

Common motifs include floral and foliate borders, swags, heraldic devices, grotesques, figures, and architectural ornament. In addition to decorative scenes, pargetting could convey status and wealth on public or grander houses. Surviving examples are particularly associated with England, with notable regional concentrations in East Anglia and the West Country, and dates ranging from the 16th to the 18th centuries. Interior pargeting is often found on ceilings and parlors, while exterior pargeting was used to adorn facades of timber-framed houses and other structures.

Preservation and study of pargetting emphasize lime-based materials and historically accurate techniques to maintain compatibility with original substrates. Modern conservators document patterns and occasionally recreate motifs to preserve traditional craft skills for heritage buildings.