Two Large Japanese Bone Okimono Scrimshawed Statues

These two rare statues are madeout of many individual pieces of bone fused together over a wooden frame. The statues depict two Japanese sages, one carrying a hammer, the other a basket of fruit. Both statues have been etched with the scrimshaw technique in the incredible detail of Japanese Okimono figures defined by their elaborate pyjamas and hats. The base of one of the statues features two large Japanese characters.