Hello, one can easily remove varnish -indeed- with paintstripper. This is very chemical and biting substance, BUT the good thing is it only reacts with the applied varnish and NOT with natural substance (like wood n patine). Though with taking off the shrumbled residu and dissolved varnish it is very dificult -to my experience- to not effect the patine. I wash the residu off with hot water and dry immediately (otherwise the wood stains). One can also perhaps let the chemical residu dry totally until it can be taken off without using water, but I have never tried this actually (too impatience!).
Perhaps an (unorthodox) tip to regain some shine without using wax; take some big plantleaves and rub those in until they are smudgy and dirty looking. How strange it sounds; it leaves a natural plantoil behind; a very subtle and natural shine. I understand your sceptisism (I would be too); try it out on another piece of wood first.
Hopefully my experience is a help to any reader?!
My best tip for those restaurers; 'better think it out carefully, before you damage items permanently!'
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