Moon Jar
Artist
Korean
Date18th century, Choson dynasty (1392–1910)
Mediumporcelain with opaque off-white glaze
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineGift of Claude Lee in memory of Agnes Elizabeth Scribner
Object number2012.17
Label TextMoon jars are a hallmark of Joseon period ceramics. Popular in the 17th and 18th centuries, the moon jar’s milky white glaze was esteemed by the Confucian imperial court and scholars, whose taste for the austere favored the plain purity of undecorated white wares. Moon jars are difficult to produce because of their large size. Due to their creation by joining two halves (the top and bottom semi-spheres), moon jars are distinguishable by their seam near the middle. They also are commonly recognized for their asymmetrical form due to warping created on the wheel or slumping in the kiln. Scholars admired this “imperfect” form, however, as a trace of nature taking its course.On View
Not on view
Chinese
Kangxi Period (1662–1722) of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Chinese
Wanli period (1573–1620) of the Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
