Remove X layers of emulsion from Cornice

I have just moved in to a Victorian property with bucket loads of period features (shutters, architraves, cornicing, ceiling roses, etc). Although there is some brilliant cornice, much of the detail has been lost under (what is probably) about 20 layers of white emulsion.

In small patches where the paint isn't so thick, you get a small glimpse of the detail below and it looks incredibly (bunches of grapes, leaves, swirling waves). Does anyone have any advice on how to get all the emulsion off, without eating into the cornice itself? Is there such thing as paint stripper for emulsion? would it work on such old paint?

The dream is to get to something like this (but through DIY): -
http://www.cornicecleaning.com/examples.htm
http://www.cornicecleaning.com/ceiling.htm

You could try on a small sample, brushing with warm water. there is a chance some of the early paint is whitewash or distemper which will come away and bring the later coatings with it. If it does, hire a steamer to gety the rest off (distemper contains a glue which dissolves in hot water quite quickly, but not easily in cold)