@arrow Sanding wasn't an option due to the heavy carving on the doors so I resorted to paint stripper. Nothing seems to work as well as the strippers of old so I tried numerous 'new' versions. The best I found to be Nitromors or Paint Panther. It was then multiple applications, scraping, wire brushing, alcohol spray and so on. Then out came the little dental pick to get the remaining flecks out of the grain and the little nooks and crannies.
Then out came the sandpaper, blister cream and muscle rub. No one said it was easy.
Next will be a couple of coats of linseed oil and then the traditional shellac.
I agree about classic stained oak, and also mahogany, which this is.