ABSTRACT
Flat ceiling decoration has taken four main forms; revival of mixed gesso painting or modelling on plaster; covering the ceiling with some imitation of plaster work or wood carving; the application of printed or embossed paper. Wren used to form many of his plaster ornaments in moulds the casts subsequently being fixed to the ceilings. While fibrous plaster can be moulded into any size and shape desired, it is, of course, hard and unbendable, though it may be cut away where necessary. Metal ceilings have also come into extensive use. They are stamped into thin sheets with embossed designs, generally in imitation of decorated tiles, or mosaic work the under surface being coated with a non-tarnishable patina and the upper enamelled in colours. The beams, whether varnished or stained, or as is sometimes done, painted, are decorated with curvilinear or running floral patterns on their soffits, or their sides, or both.
