Preserving white oak basket

I was given a basket made out of white oak strips, circa 1900; used for picking cotton. It's in really good shape but I'd like to keep it that way. I replaced the lashing on the rim with rawhide. I've thought about spraying it with an oil like tung, linseed, or lemon...but thought it would darken the open grain white oak. Thought about just spraying it with polyurethane....? Thoughts, please? If I'm in the wrong area, I apologize and welcome and admin move as needed. Thank you. --Bryant