It looks like a bench that needs a padded seat; maybe the seat flipped up to reveal a storage area underneath. Does it seem sturdy enough for that?

A foot stool...needs a board in the bottom under the spindles and a lid....which may or may not be upholstered.
It appears to be walnut. It would sure make a cute planter...
you are planning on stripping it and finishing it with a varnish aren't you??
Linda C

Yes, Linda. LOL. I won't be using it until I get my screened in porch which is years away...!!

I originally thought it was a foot stool but wasn't sure how it would have worked with the "spindles". I still can't picture it. Would the area between the spindles remained open? If so, I'm not sure why a board was needed on the bottom....

It might have been a combo foot stool and "workbasket" for needlework. Lift the lid and grab your embroidery, then sit down.

I've seen one that had gathered brocade as a lining, visible through some openwork lattice.