Anyone seen these unusual nude candle holders(?) before?

I found these yesterday at a local thrift store. I think they may be wood? with cork bottoms.

I tried an image search but nothing came up. There is what kind of looked like letters on the thigh of the man in the photo, but I'm not sure - it doesn't look like anything to the naked eye (maybe becaise of the unusual color/finish?)
Speaking of naked -the man is anatomically correct; they wouldn't do that with a mass produced piece for tourists, or decor right?)

Has anyone seen these before? Are they candle holders? Any idea of age, or anything about them?
Thank you!

 

I think they are really fun and have that modernist feel to them.

 

Modernist - that's the name I couldn't think of; thank you!

 

Maybe a photo of what you call a "cork bottom".

They don't look like wood to my eye. Maybe some kind of resin? If they were medal they would have some serious weight.

They look post 1990s, IMO.

You sure come up with interesting items, Journey.

 

The cork bottom as requested - didn't realize I forgot them in original posting!

 

Sorry, forgot to ask - they are candle holders, right?

 

Taper candles or tea lights? Which kind do you think could fit? You have not provided dimensions for the bowls on their heads have you?

 

Could they possibly be bookends rather than candle holders?

 

Sorry - 12" tall x 7" deep and bowls are 3" across & about 1/2 deep

 

Back against books the base sticks out so books could wobble at top - bit maybe with the elbows against the books?

 

The bowls are too wide for tapers as well as too shallow to give tapers a solid footing. I suppose someone might try tea lights up, but that makes them too much holder and not enough light IMHO. I suspect these were someone's one off experiment.