White Porcelain Moon Jar

Basic information

Designation

National Treasure No.309

Category

Craft

Era

17세기후반∼18세기전반

Designated year

2007

Location

용산구, 서울특별시— 서울 용산구 이태원로55길 60-16, 삼성미술관 리움 (한남동)

Coordinates

37.536528, 126.996187

White porcelain jars of this type were produced for about a century -- from the latter half of the 17th century to the early half of the 18th century -- at kilns run by Saongwon (Office of the Royal Kitchens), particularly those in Geumsa-ri, Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do Province. These voluminous round jars with pure, rich character are usually over 40cm high with milky white glaze and are often called moon jars. This jar has height of 44cm and diameter of 42cm. It has a short lip cut at a gentle angle of around 45 degrees, harmonizing nicely with the straight base to give the vessel a stable, balanced appearance. The body is perfectly round, with no signs of warping in the middle. The neat vessel surface indicates that it was made at a top-class kiln. Given their large size, porcelain jars of this style were formed in two hemispheres that were joined together. It was a precarious job requiring deft hands. Firing also called for high expertise. The unassuming aesthetic of these jars typified the porcelain art of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Most outstanding examples date back to the early part of the 18th century. During the peak years, there were some 340 kilns in the Gwangju area.

Location