u/Insatiable_vamp

Yesterday, my neighbor had an estate sale, and I bought this footstool for $6. I originally thought about refinishing the wood, recovering it, and using it, but today I'm noticing that it's likely a real antique.

The wood trim, fabric, and running detail are all adhered with tiny (rusted) nails, and from the crack on the bottom, I can see that it is likely stuffed with straw. There are no maker's marks, and Google Image Search didn't find any exact copies.

What date would this likely be from? Is the fabric original? What would be a good way to clean and preserve this enough that it could still be used? Or is that not a good idea?

I didn't want to mess up an actual antique if it is one.

Thanks!