Show old art of making furniture by hand Is followed by craftsmen in bermuda the deftness of the early settlers in bermuda in making household furniture from wood of the cedar trees they found growing on the islands is preserved today three centuries later in many of their descendants ants writes a hamilton bermuda correspondent in the new york times while many bermuda homes contain pieces of antique furniture fashioned by the hands of men who fought against the sea to gain a foothold on the jagged coral shore they also can show tables chairs and bedsteads made by contemporary residents which follow closely old designs and methods of the workmanship of the colonists little of the work is done professionally fessio nally because american and british furniture may be purchased comparatively cheaply but the joy of the craftsman inherited through several generations manifests itself in the pride that is expressed in this typical bermuda hobby only old a id cedar wood is used wood that is thoroughly dead dry and aged for this reason beams and sup ports of old houses during course of demolishment are eagerly sought by amateur cabinetmakers cabinet makers this wood is extremely hard and a great deal of time and care are expended in manufacture of the furniture calloused hands for many use only a sharp penknife are the reward the old gnarled cedar however is replete with fine knot holes polish is never used in the finishing of the furniture but wax and oil used in small quantities gives a rich dull finish and in addition preserves the pungent fragrance of the cedar after years of use the pieces acquire a polish of their own through the mere process of the weekly rub down |