Hi

For this you could consider wax. Now please correct my bad english, but
bee-wax , guess you know the stuff that even make candles ,are a very
nice alternative to oil and varnish. It will be soluted in terpentine
it even mix with linseed oil and polyurethane varnish , making the
varnish more soft and the oil more lasting. Beside you can work it by
polishing, it can be made melting and go even deeper , the only
drawback is that it don't like water but is easily polished -- it will
maintain the nice look of polished wood and is often a better choice
than varnish .

P.C.