How do I clean a brass inlay?

Wipe the surface gently with a dry microfibre cloth. Dampen a cotton swab with a tiny amount of mineral spirits if the brass is sticky. Don't use commercial metal polishes. They leave a white chalky residue in the surrounding wood grain that is hard to remove.

My grandmother left me a large wooden box with lots of little glass bottles inside and some silver lids, what was it used for?

This sounds like a fitted dressing case or vanity box. Travelling wealthy individuals carried these to hold their grooming essentials. The bottles held perfumes, colognes and scented oils. You often find a mirror concealed in the lid and a velvet-lined tray for jewellery at the bottom.

Can I replace missing veneer?

Yes, but it requires patience and matching timber. You need to find a piece of old veneer with similar grain and colour. Cut the patch slightly larger than the hole. Use animal hide glue so the repair can be reversed in the future if necessary.

I bought a box with a working lock but no key came with it, is it possible to get a new key made to fit?

A traditional locksmith can cut a key to fit most antique locks. They take an impression of the internal wards and file a blank barrel to match. Leave the lock in place if you take the box to a shop. Removing old screws often damages the carcase wood. Some dealers keep a large ring of spare antique keys. You can sometimes find one that turns the mechanism by trial and error.

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Antique Decorative Boxes

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Often serving as focal points on side tables or dressing chests, these small, varied containers held everything from tea and snuff to sewing tools and personal correspondence.