How do you clean the velvet inside?

Brush the pile with a soft, dry toothbrush. This lifts out the loose dust. Keep away from liquids. Moisture damages the hide glue holding the lining in place.

My grandmother left me a little silver box with some old coins in it and I want to know if I should polish it or leave it tarnished?

Most collectors prefer to see a gentle patina on silver. A light wipe with a silver cloth lifts the worst of the black tarnish while leaving the darker recesses intact. Avoid abrasive liquid polishes. They wear away the surface over time and build up a stubborn white residue in the hinges.

Can I fix a broken hinge?

Repairing the pin is a routine job for a silversmith. It requires careful drilling and a matching wire gauge. Wooden examples with torn hinges need a different approach. A restorer splices in new timber before fitting the replacement metalwork.

The wooden lid on the one I bought at a car boot sale is slightly warped so it doesn't close flush, can that be flattened out again?

Warped timber is difficult to reverse once it has settled into a new shape. Changes in central heating often cause thin wooden lids to bow over time. Sometimes a cabinet maker can relieve the tension on the underside and add a supporting brace. For most small boxes, people just learn to accept the slight gap as part of its age.