Over the past two or three years a number of new furniture establishments have sprung up on Pantha Path. A short browse through any one of them will reveal that the furniture for sale is rather unique. It is all of foreign make and style and yet can be bought relatively cheap.

However anyone from Chittagong will soon Inform you of their source, being no stranger to the sight of such Items. For all the Items of furniture being sold on Pantha Path have come from disused ships that have ended their seagoing lives In Chittagong. The chairs, tables, wardrobes, cupboards, sofas and armchairs that are to be seen aye all products of the ship-breaking Industry.

While there has always been a demand for such Items io Chittagong, it is quite recently

that those in the business have decided to expand and try their luck in the capital. Business is apparently good judging by the rate at which the number of shops has been increasing.

Much of the furniture originating in such countries as Japan. Sweden and Germany, is made from pine and oak which are dot readily available in Bangladesh. These woods are hardweartng. but pine in particular is also lightweight, making transport by road from Chittagong fairly easy.

Although the furniture is secondhand, the attraction lies in its longevity. Most pieces.

though they may be as much as thirty years old. are In good condition. Just surface repairs are done in some cases before they are brought to Dhaka. Wood such as oak in fact matures and actually Improves with age.

The quality of the finishing is also an added bonus considering the low prices due to low taxes on secondhand goods. The pieces are in addition cleaned and revarnished to look almost new.

Customers from a wide ranging backgrounds appear to appreciate all the advantages of buying long lasting and solid secondhand furniture for their homes. But they should be careful as some unprincipled furniture dealers are now attempting to pass off native timbers as foreign by copying the styles of the genuine articles.

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Another problem to look Out for is woodworm. Indicated by tiny pinhead sized holes, and rot. seen as soft flaking or powdery wood. Most people have a sensible attitude towards buying these secondhand, foreign items. For example they are aware that viruses cannot be transmitted through Inanimate objects. And that recycling is always a good idea, especially if you can get a bargain out of it.

So if any of you are looking for a good old oak dining table, that will add character to your home - and you don't want to pay Gulshan prices, you know where to look for.