Moon Jar

Description

This large, milky white jar, made during Korea’s Joseon dynasty, is called a moon jar because of its distinctive shape and color. In order to build the jar’s large round shape, Joseon potters joined two hemispherical halves in the center. The joint is almost visible under the smooth white glaze but subtly flattens out between the halves. This moon jar, like many others, has mysterious spots—possibly residue from liquid the jar once contained or the result of a crystal growth from the slow cooling of the kiln. Either way, these stains have become a part of the identity of Joseon moon jars.

Provenance

Yasuyoshi Morimoto, Three Dynasties, Kyoto, Japan; sold to the Art Institute of Chicago, Aug. 8, 2001.

Moon Jar

Joseon dynasty (1392–1897), late 17th– mid-18th century

Accession Number

158472

Medium

Porcelain with glaze

Dimensions

33 × 32.5 cm (13 × 12 13/16 in.); Diam.: 32.5 cm (12 13/16 in.)

Classification

porcelain

Museum

The Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, United States

Credit Line

Gift of an anonymous donor, Louise Lutz Estate, and Russell Tyson Endowment