It's a home made motorized bobbin winder.
The thread holder is missing the center pin, no big deal though. The thread would come off the spool up to the hook, then down to the tension on the right side bottom of the wood base. Then over to a bobbin on the shaft this side of the wheel on the left.
The bobbin winder is from an industrial machine, I've seen many pics of them on the machine tables.
The motor and foot controller are generic and could have come from anything. The winder is a really great idea. I've got to steal your pic for future ideas.
As for it not working, what did it not do? And if you don't want it, ship it to me and I'll reimburse you the shipping.
Joe