Thread: Can I leave my piece natural without a finish?

I've built some brackets out of NZ Rimu, that will hold a pair of very old wood and leather snow my father used in the 60's in Alaska. The Rimu brackets looks great against the shoes which is some sort of Red Wood. I finished a scrap piece of Rimu with wax, but as expected it highlights the Rimu beautifully - brings out the grain and looks as good as your would like, but it makes it too similar to the shoes, which are dull and aged (so leaving the Rimu natural would match their patina. What are the pro's and con's if I were to leave the Rimu unfinished/natural (no wax, oil or vanish)? They are being mounted on a wall inside. The room can get quite hot during the summer. The Rimu came out of an old house we restored and has been sitting in my workshop for me to do something with it - so it's dry and aged, so wouldn't expect it to warp or crack.

Love to hear others advice

Many Thanks
Mike