Just a side note. If the finish turns to powder easily, there's a fair likelihood that it is shellac. And the miracle of shellac is that it is possible to rejuvenate what looks like a spoiled finish (like powder, crazing, deep cracks, etc) by rubbing with a cloth wetted with denatured alcohol. Shellac is easily dissolved in that solvent, and if done right you can go back to a shiny non-powder, uncracked finish by that method. I had an old chair whose finish was absolutely horrible. But when wiped down with denatured alcohol, it came back with an unspoiled patina and a fine finish.
I'm not saying your box is for sure shellac JD, or that you'll get the absolutely the same results if you try it, but the possibility is there, and what do you have to lose? Try it on a small spot if you want, to see if it works