Can I get your ideas for revitalizing this travel chest?

I have a trunk sand it and stain it

https://www.pinterest.com/explore/old-trunks/ https://www.pinterest.com/deerhuntress/trunk-ideas/

I would lightly sand the wood, clean and polish the metals then use a good tung oil on the wood. If you also stain, be careful not to lose the patina by overcoloring the wood's natural tones.

What a beautiful piece! I would just clean it up and use it as decor and to store out of season items like throws, seasonal pillows or in my case, the plethora of pet blankets. Maybe extra guest sheets and blankets? Craft cache, possibilities are endless.

Gorgeous! You can also paint it ( I recommend chalk paint or saltwash)

Oh...please don't paint it! Just clean it...maybe refresh the wood with a restorer. This is a treasure. Paint will destroy its value.

After a good leaning you could get some older world maps, cut to fit the open spaces, glue on and then use several coats of either Modgpodge or polyurethane. A travel chest with old maps would make a very interesting conversation piece. I did this with an old table and it lasted for years!

Less IS more! I would clean gently and thoroughly, and use a tung oil or natural tint Danish oil on it, even the metal. I agree, please no paint for this beauty. As a famous person says, let the piece (or age of) the piece, speak for itself!

Make a bench with storage. Turn Top around so curve offers back support. Add seat of bench and create storage inside OR. . . flip bottom over and make a couple of cushions or long pad for seat. Beautiful Trunk.

That is a beautiful trunk. I have one very similar and I restored it to its original beauty. It took a long time but was so worth it. I very gently sanded down the tin top, used my driemel tool to clean up the tin ornamental parts. I stained mine in an antique oak stain and then put several coats of wax on it. It is a lot of work but when you are finished you will be so satisfied, and it will be stunning. If you need to find leather handles you can buy them online. Also if you want to preserve the inside you could always Modge Podge the paper to strengthen it. PLEASE don't paint this beautiful antique, you will only make it look like a one dimensional, boring piece. Paint is what you do if the piece is beyond repair.

Good Luck, and we would all love to see your trunk when you have finished. By the way, Camelback trunks are worth more money than flat topped trunks, so they are worthy of a restoration. Also, if the inside smells a bit old and funky, you can put cat litter inside and it takes away any odour.

Thanks for all your w comments . I'm using all the information and will start to work on it soon. God Bless everyone

Hi Dean, Good luck with your beautiful trunk. I just did a search on Pinterest, and there is so much useful information. I wish I could show you my trunk but my daughter convinced me she needed it more than I do. You know even grown up kids are always taking your stuff!

God Bless from British Columbia!