Help identifying - Antique Wood Sculpture

I have tried a few places with no luck, but I have a wooden sculpture that has been in my family for at least 40+ years (I saw it in our house as a child, so I know it’s at the least 30yrs old but can’t imagine it was made right before then).

I can’t find any identifying marks on it, but I’m not really formidable with how they would sign these. The closest resembling sculpture I could find was from Noemi Schindler (almost identical to mine just that one is brass and crude looking). Mine is smooth and more defined.

I know the pictures will pretty much do all the justice but, beyond that it’s 16 inches tall, about 5lbs in weight. The width of it is roughly 4-6 inches. The wood is black, it hasn’t been painted over at all so I know it’s not black from paint. We are from Bedford NY, near Greenwich CT. The best background I can give you beyond that is we knew a lot of people and came from a privileged area. I acquired this from my grandparents who raised me, who are both passed now. I’m just trying to figure out who and what this is from. I have it on show in my house but always look at it wishing I knew more. My grandfather was a giant collector of many things, none of which were ever really of no value, so any help would be greatly appreciated!

By the way, it’s definitely dusty and I can’t bring myself to try and clean it because I don’t want to damage it.

I can’t upload an image to the forum too large of a file but I made an Imgur of all my pictures.

https://imgur.com/gallery/K9Q1pST

 

A mother & child?? Ebony or ebonized wood??

 

I’ve assumed it is a mother and child, yeah most likely ebony. Those are kind of the clear noticeable distinctions though. I’m looking for actual information someone may have as to who or what it could be from. I guess this forum is not the place thanks though.

 

Let me tag one who might have some input.... @Any Jewelry ?? And was your Grandfather a traveler? If it possibly came from him?

 

Welcome, Arrigo. Our membership is widespread and knowlegable in many areas including ethnic art, but as you should know this is a holiday weekend in the US and people have other things to do. Please be more patient for replies.

 

I believe your carving is probably from Kenya, made by a Kamba or Makonde carver. That same style, with the round headed, faceless figures is still made there in various woods (including ebony) and more recently by the Shona carvers in soapstone:



The style is now copied by commercial carvers in Ghana, as well.