carved in relief with a standing figure bearing an axe, raised on a corbel, presented on a radial grid of raised lozenges, mounted on a bespoke oak stand,

This small carving has got us a little stumped. The garb that the little figure is dressed in appears armorial (and as they are holding a axe or a small pike they are probably martial in some way or another). The figure itself, lacking most of its arms appears somewhat skeletal. The face with hollow eyes might perhaps have African features and before being weathered was very sensitively carved. The hat or helmet could perhaps be Scandanavian? The treatment of the surrounding relief work might be the clue as to the origin of this piece as might the dark material from which it is carved – which could be a volcanic stone rather than sandstone. Someone at some point has gone to the trouble of making a proper stand for it.

All suggestions or comparisons would be gratefully received!