[Mullard_Nut_74]

i really like the look of it.
i would be tempted to fill the holes with a dark wood filler and give the whole thing a light sanding.
Then use a redish purple guitar stain on it.
Then coat the whole thing in resin allowing the first few coats to be a slow drying product that would soak right in.
Would be a great project and could turn out really nice when finished.
Keep us updated on the process you do use and plenty of pics along the way.

Neil