Solid wood furniture doesn't ask for much — but the little it does ask for is the difference between a piece that lasts one generation and one that lasts several.
Keep it out of direct, prolonged sunlight where possible; wood tones deepen naturally with age, but harsh sun can fade and dry it unevenly. Dust with a soft, dry cloth rather than a damp one — moisture is wood's real enemy, far more than dust ever is. A light application of wood polish or oil every few months, worked in with a soft cloth, keeps the finish from drying out and helps it maintain the deep lustre that hand-polishing first gave it.
Small changes in humidity are normal and nothing to worry about — solid wood expands and contracts slightly with the seasons, which is exactly what well-made joinery is designed to handle. What matters most is simple consistency: a little care, applied regularly, is worth far more than an occasional deep clean. Treated this way, a hand-carved piece doesn't just last — it improves, gathering a patina that no new piece can imitate.