Court cupboards were usually much taller than 35" -- more like 5 feet or more. The Eagle Lock Company was in business from 1833 until 1977, so if the lock is original to the piece, that gives you the absolute outside time limits. The single board on the back is a more modern technique, and it looks like it might be rather thin, probably plywood rather than a solid wood -- is it? Is there an exposed edge you can look at, maybe the bottom? Could we see the inside of the doors and the interior? I think what you have is a sideboard or buffet, and agree with the others on the date, although it might be as early as 1910. But as mfrog says, it's very hard to tell from photographs. Even if it isn't centuries old, it's still a nice piece.

Just my opinion, but it looks like urns used for cremated remains, or urns used on headstones, to hold flowers. Many of those pieces disappeared from cemeteries when thieves started taking them to scrapyards. Maybe it was removed from a grave site for safe-keeping. I hope that suggestion isn't offensive.

"modernize"?....You mean with a "modern" rug? Don't think it can be done....and still look right. Why not do that strange thing and buy a solid color rug with a bit of texture...in a color very near...or at least the same tone as the sectional in the den. Not going to add color....but you do that with accessories. And I would forget the drum light fixture....How about lowering the one you have on a chain? It will be right with your house and add another dimension to the room. Curtains...canvas in a color very like the rug....perhaps with a trim stripe of grosgrain... And a BIG solid color vase on the floor....maybe burgundy...or a jade green....perhaps even a Weller sort of brown. A runner in the color of the vase....with a heavy glass "thing" in the center...modern in style and heavy glass.....and brass or silver antique candle sticks...in the style of the table. Here is a link that might be useful: rug

If you can save the finish, great! Refinishing is a terrible job. But having dealt with something that looks like that, I suspect that it will not cooperate and reamalgamate (which is a totally legit thing if you have the correct finish for it). It's certainly worth trying. Unfortunately, this style of furniture isn't very valuable but on the bright side, that means you can do what you need to do to find it a place in your home (please don't paint it). If it requires refinishing, so be it. I would stay faithful to the original stain as much as possible, not because it's a museum piece but because it just looks good. Even a little scruffy, it's still elegant. You don't HAVE to do anything.