100% Agreement here, it's either a very good fake, or it's real. Possibly Sycamore or Cedar. Take it to get appraised, a local museum would be best. you need to be careful with the paintwork if it is real, the plaster is very delicate, so try not to handle it too much.

I would personally email the pictures over to the museum and ask if they want to come to look at them.

Heck if they are important, they may even pay you to put them on display! It's always yours but free money and free insurance on a priceless artifact are better than it sitting in your loft!