As a long time antiquer, I usually do not "refinish" old pieces, I look to revive an existing finish - if I touch them at all.
Looking at the case, likely shellac especially seeing the watermarks (could be a buildup of wax/polish though). No idea on the leg. Does not look original and likely something other than shellac. The piece likely has wax/furniture polish on it so need to lightly soak a rag with turpentine and rub down the piece - should remove the wax easily.
Somewhere inconspicuous brush some denatured alcohol on a small area and see if it softens/dissolves the shellac. If it becomes sticky, Its shellac. If it's a shellac, mix up a mixture of 4 parts denatured alcohol to 1 part shellac. (You can also supposedly use Everclear 190 proof drinking liquid).
Brush this mixture on and working small areas, wet into dry and keeping your brush wet at all times or by gently rubbing it down with a smooth rag soaked in the mixture. That should revive and smooth out a shellac finish.
Then wax for protection. If the finish does not get sticky, then you have either an oil finish, a lacquer finish or a modern finish. If after the turpentine cleaning you see open pores of the wood and the finish is not glossy, likely an oil and wax finish. Clean off as much wax as you can with the turpentine rag, then liberally apply a coat of thinned down (50/50) oil of choice. let get tacky and wipe off the excess. Let it dry overnight and add more coats if desired - then wax when completely dry.
If it is not an oil finish, test for a lacquer finish. Use a lacquer thinner soaked rag and see if any of the finish comes off onto the rag. If it does, probably lacquer. If not, then it is some other varnish or modern finish.
If it's a modern finish, you'll probably need to remove it. You might try some stripper, or sand it down to bare wood and refinish as others have recommended.
If it's a lacquer, you can renew the finish by lightly sanding (220) then brushing on lacquer thinner to soften the lacquer, working small areas, wet into dry and keeping your brush wet at all times.
If that doesn't work, strip or sand and refinish.
***admin note. Link is provided to reference the post Mike is talking about in bold text of the first paragraph.
Looking at the case, likely shellac especially seeing the watermarks (could be a buildup of wax/polish though). No idea on the leg. Does not look original and likely something other than shellac. The piece likely has wax/furniture polish on it so need to lightly soak a rag with turpentine and rub down the piece - should remove the wax easily.
Somewhere inconspicuous brush some denatured alcohol on a small area and see if it softens/dissolves the shellac. If it becomes sticky, Its shellac. If it's a shellac, mix up a mixture of 4 parts denatured alcohol to 1 part shellac. (You can also supposedly use Everclear 190 proof drinking liquid).
Brush this mixture on and working small areas, wet into dry and keeping your brush wet at all times or by gently rubbing it down with a smooth rag soaked in the mixture. That should revive and smooth out a shellac finish.
Then wax for protection. If the finish does not get sticky, then you have either an oil finish, a lacquer finish or a modern finish. If after the turpentine cleaning you see open pores of the wood and the finish is not glossy, likely an oil and wax finish. Clean off as much wax as you can with the turpentine rag, then liberally apply a coat of thinned down (50/50) oil of choice. let get tacky and wipe off the excess. Let it dry overnight and add more coats if desired - then wax when completely dry.
If it is not an oil finish, test for a lacquer finish. Use a lacquer thinner soaked rag and see if any of the finish comes off onto the rag. If it does, probably lacquer. If not, then it is some other varnish or modern finish.
If it's a modern finish, you'll probably need to remove it. You might try some stripper, or sand it down to bare wood and refinish as others have recommended.
If it's a lacquer, you can renew the finish by lightly sanding (220) then brushing on lacquer thinner to soften the lacquer, working small areas, wet into dry and keeping your brush wet at all times.
If that doesn't work, strip or sand and refinish.
***admin note. Link is provided to reference the post Mike is talking about in bold text of the first paragraph.
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