What Is Pargeting In Plasterwork? How Is Pargetting Done?
What Is Pargeting In Plasterwork?
Pargeting is a decorative form of plasterwork which involves applying layers of wet lime plaster over a base layer containing special additives like animal hair and clay, in order to create intricate patterns and motifs.
It is often used on walls and ceilings inside buildings, although some pargeted works have been made outdoors as well.
The patterns created are usually quite ornate, often featuring elements like leaves, flowers or animals.
Pargeting requires skilled craftsmanship, patience and a great eye for detail. It takes creativity to turn the simple ingredients of plaster into something truly unique and beautiful.
How Is Pargetting Done?
Pargetting is an ancient form of decorative plasterwork that involves applying a thin layer of wet plaster or mortar to walls or ceilings, sometimes with the addition of patterned moulds or carvings.
It is often used in historical buildings such as churches and stately homes, where it can provide a stunning finish.
To parget, plasterers use tools such as trowels and spatulas to spread and shape the wet plaster mix over a substrate before creating shapes and textures.
Depending on the desired effect, it can be finished with more traditional materials like paint and glaze, or left as it was originally crafted for a more rustic look.
Pargetting is an art in itself and requires a skillful hand – but when done properly it can make all the difference to any building’s overall appearance.
What Is Pargeting Made Of?
Pargeting is a type of decorative plasterwork which dates back to medieval times and is used for decorating the exterior walls of old buildings.
It is made up of a mixture of lime plaster and aggregates such as sand, firmer lumps of limestone or marl, hornbeam or horsehair mixed in with the lime mix.
The lime mix is spread onto the wall in layers and worked into intricate designs with wooden tools or a mold, before being allowed to dry in the air or be heated to speed up the drying process.
Once dry, it can be painted with oil paints or brightly-colored natural pigments. The end result is an exquisitely beautiful form of decoration that has been used for centuries in many parts of Europe.
What Is Pargeted Stone?
Pargeted stone is a type of ornamental stonework commonly found in southern Europe and areas around the Mediterranean.
It involves taking thin, flat pieces of stone and carving intricate designs into them before joining them together to create an entire work of art.
The carved stones are then connected with plaster or clay, giving pargeted stone its unique and distinctive look.
This type of stonework is often used to decorate facades, pillars and other architectural features, as well as on fireplaces, doorways, arches and tombs.
Pargeted stone has been around for centuries and still holds a special place in many cultures as a beautiful way to add character to buildings old and new.
What Are Examples Of Pargeting Styles?
Pargeting is an architectural form of ornamentation which typically uses bright colors and geometric patterns to decorate external walls.
Examples of pargeting styles include latticework, scrollwork, quatrefoil, scalloped borders, chevrons and zigzag designs. Animal figures and floral motifs are also sometimes used in this type of artwork.
Pargeting installations can be found on the facades of churches, temples, palaces and buildings dating from the Italian Renaissance period up to contemporary times.
This decorative art form is especially popular in India where it is commonly seen adorning Hindu temples.