MY EXAMPLE DID HAVE VARNISH BUT DUE TO TIME AND WEAR IT HAS LOST ITS SHINE BUT THE WOOD STILL STAYS DARK. IF IT WAS SANDED OFF ENTIRELY DOWN TO THE NATURAL WOOD IT WOULD BE A LOT LIGHTER IN COLOR AND THE PORES OF THE WOOD MORE OPEN OR FILLED WITH SAWDUST. I SUSPECT SOME PLANT RESINS MAY HAVE BEEN USED BY PEOPLE IN MORE PRIMATIVE TIMES TO SEAL, PROTECT AND ENHANCE ITEMS FROM BASKETS, BOWLS AND MANY OTHER ITEMS. SO MODERN SEALERS, STAINS AND VARNISHES WILL NOT REALLY BE SOMETHING NEW.
