Sage height: 1 5/8 inches Fan-bearer height: 1 1/2 inches. This pair of Japanese netsuke is carved from bone and finished with polychrome staining for an aged appearance. The first figure depicts a seated sage or scholar wearing a blue-and-black scholar's cap and green-stained robes. He holds a tall, naturalistic staff surmounted by a red-stained bird, possibly a crane, with a small dog seated at his right side. The reverse features two himotoshi cord holes within the green robe section. The underside is carved with two foot wells and bears incised characters. A grid-like character "?" is visible in the center, with the character "?" incised to the right. The second figure represents a seated character, possibly a female or actor, dressed in yellow robes decorated with green bamboo leaf motifs and a purple-stained lower garment. The figure holds a large closed fan with blue vertical stripes. The reverse features a red-stained rectangular element, possibly an obi, containing two himotoshi cord holes. The base features two foot wells and incised characters. A grid-like "?" mark is visible on the purple section, and a vertical signature is incised between the foot wells, of which the middle character is "?". The character "?" appears to the far right. The overall style and wear are consistent with Japanese carvings from the late 19th century.