Paper off.. Plaster blown.. But how to preserve that nice coving?

[MICH43L]

Hi

Another Victorian house held together by thick wallpaper. I've stripped it off, but unsurprisingly the plaster needs removing too.

Is it possible to preserve that nice plaster coving? Or will it all fall down the minute chisel hits plaster?

[GALLERY=media, 99798]20170530_130741 by MICH43L posted 30 May 2017 at 1:08 PM[/GALLERY]

 

[^woody^]

Score a line below the coving with a knife or cut it with a fine saw before you start hacking away

 

[MICH43L]

Still in the game! Looks like some old lead pipes for gas lights in there.