Calling all you furniture up-cyclers..

I've been given the above gate leg table which has a few water marks on the top. What I'm trying to determine (as I am a novice!) is what the finish is. Is is varnished or stained or something else. It was bought in the 1940's and is quite a solid piece. My plan is to keep the top a nice uniform dark colour (stained or varnished or waxed?) and to paint the legs and matching chairs in a cream colour.. similar to this, but the wood darker. So any ideas/thoughts?