Guri Bowl

Guri Bowl, China, Yuan/Early Ming dynasty, the rounded sides rising from the ring foot to an everted rim, the exterior finely carved through multiple red and black layers to the buff ground with six "pommel scrolls," divided by lingzhi -shaped designs and above a band of stylized petals around the foot, the interior covered in black lacquer, ht. 2 1/2, dia. 4 3/4 in. N.B. The "pommel scroll" motif derives from the shape of the ring-pommel on early Chinese swords. The Japanese term for that pattern is guri . Cracks and chips along the rim; the foot ring has major crack damage