Reply #18: Varnish, maybe? The finish has NO gloss at all.

[pengillian101]

Gosh, sorry I don't know so much anymore about preserving antique wood.

I made a huge mistake and also had huge success. You be the judge, :-)

About 1971 or so, my new hubby and I went to our first auction. We knew the owners, and there were VERY few buyers. No antique folks in the crowd. Bought a bedroom set that day.

<In our spare bedroom I still have these two items today.>

Antique oak dresser with a beautiful beveled mirror the width of the dresser and tall, that we re-furnished in a walnut stain because it had layers of paint to match a 4 poster bed. But I still love it.

A 4-poster bed that color-wise matches the dresser. Totally untouched finish.

We didn't know any better. We paid a grand total of $15 dollars for both pieces in 1970+, and I still enjoy them!