GILDED WOOD ANGEL - CHERUB WITH PLASTER/CHALK? UNDER GILD?

I bought this at a local antique shop for $10. I had a Anri carved wood angel/cherub from Italy before that sold on eBay for $90(!) - so I bought this one; even though it has plaster? chalk? under the gold gilded paint.

Looking into the holes on the angel I can see wood inside; so what is that plaster/chalk?

Where could this have come from? The holes look like they were from screws & makes me think it was part of a larger fixture of some kind, but knowing exactly what it is or what it was a part of will help me in writing a description to list it.

As always, I am very appreciative of your help!

 

The white stuff is gesso. It is used as a base for painting and gilding.
Yes it looks like it came from a larger piece, in a church, chapel, convent. Maybe from an altarpiece.

 

Thank you Any Jewelry!