An auction house is to open its doors on the first day that lockdown restrictions are lifted.
H&H Auction Rooms, based at Rosehill Industrial Estate in Carlise, will be opening its doors for people to view in the region of 500 lots in time for the post-lockdown auction sale to be held on April 15.
The public will be allowed to view the sale in person and leave a commission bid, with the H&H Auction Rooms team being on hand to provide guidance.
With a total of 500 lots, highlights of the sale include a unique selection of artistic pottery pieces, items collected over time from the Potfest festival and market (held in Penrith since 1994), and a collection of very old-fashioned glass codd-bottles.
With viewings scheduled to be open to the public between 9am and 5pm on April 12, 13 and 14, H&H Auction Rooms are looking forward to welcoming bidders.
This is how the sales will be conducted in the short-term, as the prospect of a further loosening of restrictions remains uncertain, H&H said.
Stephen Farthing, head of H&H Auction Rooms, said: “It’s really exciting for us to finally return to hosting sales and welcome people through our doors.
“With the prospect of things opening up, H&H are very much on the front foot and want to get back into action as soon as possible.
“Everyone has missed the buzz of the auction room, even more, the social side of trading, which is why we’ve planned a sale for immediately after lockdown is set to be lifted.”
Stephen continued: “At H&H we’ve got a tried and tested set-up that is based on a one-way system, giving viewers plenty of personal space as they move through the lot displays. Markings on the floor help guide people through, and it’s a very effective way of operating a viewing as we know from last year’s successes.”
Commenting on some of the lots, Stephen added: “This sale has got very interesting items, including a large-bodied vase with an intense glaze reminiscent of Pilkington art ware from internationally renowned Japanese potter Fumihiro Fuyushiba, and some other pieces from lesser-known artists.
“We’ve also got some fantastic old-fashioned glass bottles which are a little slice of local Cumbrian history. Starting off the collection is an example of very early codd-bottles that were manufactured to withhold the pressure of carbonated drinks, from the aerated water company in Wigton.”