I find this a pretty poignant carving, embodying a sense of honest labor both in terms of the subject and the manner of the carving, and drawing a bit of a parallel between the miner with his pick axe and the carver with his chisel, at least in my mind. It looks to me that he has a headlight on his hat, and then this stoic face with straight mouth and bulbous nose, looking as if he has been hard at work for many many years, and, sleeves rolled up, is very much still at it. Sensitively done and feeling to me very much like a specific, singular portrait. 

9 5/8" t x 2 7/8" w x 2 1/2" d and in very good condition, I would guess 1920s-40s or so.