African (assuming) carved wood couple odd and erotic and puzzling

Hi, this piece really has me stumped. I'm sure it is wood, especially looking at the small missing section on the base, but the patina has something of a bronzed look and also looks a bit like it could be painted ceramic. The figures are puzzling too. The pictures illustrate the pose better than I care to, but what I figure to be the female is much larger than the other. I cannot find anything similar and the design on the base is throwing me off too as most African carvings do not have anything like that. It is about 8.75" tall. If anyone can give me any help or ideas it will be much appreciated.

 

looks like wood
looks like mother and child
looks like older tourist artwork.........

 

It could be referred to as a "maternity figure". I suspect it is from the Congo region - the architectural hairstyle/headdress, and the design on the base are reminiscent of Kuba style, but they are not known for maternity figures.

 

Thank you, I do believe it is wood and the mother and child makes sense.

 

Thank you, I looked at that style and the Congo and I do see similarities. Especially in pieces with a "bronzed" look to them.

 

I'm not a expert....but that looks like mother and child pose....and not sexual between man and woman