I would let it "sit" for at least a week, but wait as long as you can. It's hard to really say how long it will take to fully cure, but based on your description, I would say that you have done a great job. Technically it can take a full month to cure, but use your judgement, the surface should (obviously) not be tacky.
If the surface is flat and you want extra protection, I sometimes use a piece of glass, which I know can be expensive. But I also like the "antiqued" look.

Oil based paint really only takes a couple of days to fully harden, a week at most. Latex/acrylics are what may take up to a month to cure.

Thanks so much! This has been quite an adventure and I'm learning a lot.

When I painted a dresser, I let it sit for almost a week and then brought it in the house. We didn't use it for another week, left the drawers off to ensure that it finished curing while inside the room.

Hello, how long should I cure chairs and table base with a latex floor paint?