Moon jar

Moon jar is a type of traditional Korean white porcelain which was made during the Joseon dynasty (1392–1910). The Joseon white porcelain was adopted as imperial ware in the fifteenth century. Moon jars first appeared in the late seventeenth century and remained popular until the mid-eighteenth century. However, they were not nicknamed “moon jars” until the 1950s. The name comes from its shape and milky color of the glaze to resemble the coloration of the moon. This type of vessel is unique to the Joseon Dynasty and were never produced in China or Japan. There are approximately 20 surviving moon jars more than 40 cm (15.75 inches) tall, and of these 3 are Korea's national treasures. Several moon jars have sold at auction for in excess of $US1 million, with one selling for $US4.5 million in March 2023. At a March 2025 auction a moon jar fetched $US 2.8 million. Moon jars often consists of two hemispherical halves that are thrown separately and then joined in the middle. The slightly uneven natural shape added to its appeal during the Joseon dynasty. Usually jars are made in a stable shape due to their wide bottom and smaller mouth, but moon jar has a wider mouth than the diameter of the bottom, causing instability, making it feel like the jar is floating in air. It has inspired many artists such as Kim Whanki and Bernard Leach. Moon jars have been described as being big, sturdy, rich, and proud with a slightly waddling and distorted appearance that is attractive. Because of this slight irregularity, most moon jars assume the shape of a waning moon, rather than a full moon. However, this grants them the “symmetry of asymmetry,” causing them to look different when viewed from various angles.

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