[Arran]

So what is wrong with the original finish on this cabinet, to me it looks like a fairly acceptable original finish for an 88-89 year old piece of furniture ? I would give it a cleaning with some automotive hand cleaner, the cream kind with no pumice, and some paper towels or clean rags, just so you can get an idea of the actual condition. Quite often a finish will look bad just because of the grease, wax, and dirt building up on it over the years. If it really has been over coated with something I would try a rag with some alcohol on it, often people would paint over the lacquer with shellac, but they usually do so very crudely, but try this after the hand cleaner.
Regards
Arran