1800's wood table with ornate carvings (lion head, green man, a drawing, etc.)

Agreed, oil is likely to make it sticky, tacky and a magnet for dust/dirt. A good cleaning perhaps but a BIG NO on oil thingy.

 

Just my opinion but a table without a top is like a chair without legs. What's the point of it -- don't care where it came from. And a new top that doesn't correspond to the base is akin to wearing a toupe. The whole thing will need to be refinished properly. Try to sell it to someone as is who can put the time and effort into it, is what I say.