Archaeological salvage at fire-hit Clandon Park mansion

Archaeologists have begun a ground-level salvage in the saloon which used to be an impressive entrance hall

Since a devastating fire hit 18th Century Clandon Park in Surrey, reducing it to a shell, more than 400 objects have been salvaged from the burnt-out remains - but work continues on the fabric of the building itself.

After the mansion's contents were removed and charred timbers were carefully lifted out by crane, an archaeological salvage operation got under way which will continue until the spring.

Some of the first photographs of the ornate carvings saved by archaeological experts are shown here:

The saloon had an enormous fireplace and a frieze around the top of its walls - the room was used for weddings

Plaster fragments such as this theatrical face have been found

After the fire, pieces of antique furniture that survived were stored and catalogued

A frieze ran around the top of the saloon walls

Clandon Park House was reduced to a shell in April

Treasures were carefully lifted out of the rubble

Clandon Park was known for its 18th Century furniture, porcelain and textiles - including this gilt armchair