Moving a Priceless Antique with Porta Gantry

As part of a major redevelopment project, Manchester Museum sought to relocate a nineteenth-century Japanese Incense Burner to a prominent position within its newly constructed entrance hall. The impressive artefact, recently cleaned and restored through a collaborative project involving museum volunteers and students, was selected as a key focal point for visitors entering the museum.

To support the move, the museum partnered with GAP Group’s Lifting Division, who specified a Reid Porta Gantry system to safely handle and position the historic piece.

Relocating a fragile and irreplaceable artefact presented a unique lifting challenge. Standing approximately 3.5 metres tall, the nineteenth-century Japanese Incense Burner required careful handling throughout the lifting operation to ensure its preservation.

The team needed a solution capable of providing precise control, sufficient lifting height, and reliable load handling, while minimising any risk of damage to this valuable piece of history. The operation demanded meticulous planning and execution to safely transport the artefact to its new location within the museum.

To deliver the lift safely and efficiently, GAP’s lifting specialists selected the Reid Porta Gantry as the primary lifting solution. Its lightweight yet robust construction provided the strength and stability needed for the project, while maintaining the flexibility required for working within the museum environment.

Using a William Hackett Chain Hoist in conjunction with the Porta Gantry, the team carefully lifted and positioned the 3.5-metre-tall artefact into its new home within the entrance hall. The Porta Gantry’s combination of portability, ease of assembly and lifting capacity made it ideally suited to the task, enabling precise control throughout the operation.

By providing a safe and controlled lifting solution, the Porta Gantry helped ensure the successful relocation of a treasured museum exhibit, preserving its condition while supporting Manchester Museum’s vision for its redeveloped visitor experience.