Global InformationMoon jar information
| Moon jar | |
 Moon jar, Joseon white porcelain (National Treasure No. 309) | |
| Korean name | |
|---|---|
| Hangul | 달항아리 / 백자대호 |
| Hanja | none / 白磁大壺 |
| Revised Romanization | dal hangari / baekja daeho |
| McCune–Reischauer | tal hanari /paekcha taeho |
Moon jar is a type of traditional Korean white porcelain which was made during the Joseon dynasty (1392–1910).[1] 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.[2] 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.[2]
The fact that many moon jars have a bluish or greenish tinge, as is the case with National Treasure No. 1437, is readily apparent.[3] These non-white colors come about owing to the fact that the clay and glaze they were made from are essentially similar but less processed and refined than the clay and glaze utilized during the early Goryeo period (918-1392) to produce deeper colors found in celadon wares.[4] It wasn't until the early eighteenth century that moon jars took on a color that could be called pure white.[5]
Moon jars often consists of two hemispherical halves that are throw separately and then joined in the middle.[6] 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.[7]
It has inspired many artists such as Kim Whanki and Bernard Leach.[8][9][10][11]
Moon jars have been described as being big, sturdy, rich, and proud with a slightly waddling and distorted appearance that is attractive.[12] 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.[5]
- ^ Lee, Soyoung. "In Pursuit of White: Porcelain in the Joseon Dynasty". Heilbrunn Timeline. Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
- ^ a b "Joseon White Porcelain Moon Jars | Curator's Picks". NATIONAL MUSEUM OF KOREA. Retrieved 2024-05-07.
- ^ "Renewed Exhibition: White Florescence of Joseon Ceramics". issuu. Retrieved 2024-05-07.
- ^ Lee, Authors: Soyoung. "Joseon Buncheong Ware: Between Celadon and Porcelain | Essay | The Metropolitan Museum of Art | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History". The Met’s Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. Retrieved 2024-05-07.
- ^ a b "White porcelain moon jars (article) | Korea". Khan Academy. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
- ^ "Moon jar | Korea | Joseon dynasty (1392–1910)".
- ^ "백자 달항아리". terms.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved 2021-04-22.
- ^ "The Korean Moon Jar". British Museum. Retrieved 2016-12-29.
- ^ Seo Dong-shin. "White Moons Rise on Chosun Porcelains". artseoul.net. Archived from the original on 2012-02-17.
- ^ 백자달항아리 (in Korean). Doosan Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2016-12-29.
- ^ Noh Hyeong-seok (노형석) (2005-08-17). 묵향속의 우리 문화유산 - (29) 백자 달 항아리 (in Korean). The Hankyoreh. Retrieved 2016-12-29.
- ^ Park, Hyun-joo (2014-09-14). ""I dedicate my whole heart to earth and wood fire" 'Moon Jar' artist Kang Min-soo, solo exhibition at Nohwarang [박현주의 아트톡]흙과 장작불에 온 마음을 바쳐요 '달항아리' 작가 강민수, 노화랑서 개인전". 아주경제 (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-05-07.