18th-century moon jar fetches $2.8 mil. at New York auction

By Kwon Mee-yoo

An 18th-century Korean moon jar from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) has sold for $2.83 million (4.1 billion won) at Christie’s New York auction Tuesday, surpassing its pre-auction estimate of $1.8 to $2.5 million.

This white porcelain jar, emblematic of Korea's distinctive ceramic tradition, features a harmonious round shape composed of two hemispherical halves joined seamlessly at the center. Characterized by its luminous, translucent glaze and elegant simplicity, the moon jar reflects the essence of Korean aesthetics.

"Many Korean ceramics take cultural references from China, but the moon jar is unique to Korea," said Takaaki Murakami, head of Japanese and Korean Art at Christie’s. "I think, for Korean people, this is something they celebrate because it sets them apart from the artistic output of neighboring countries."

Crafted by unknown potters, moon jars were predominantly created between the late 17th and early 19th centuries during the Joseon Dynasty, with only about 20 known examples surviving globally. Despite their rarity, moon jars remain celebrated as the peak of Korean ceramic artistry, inspiring contemporary reinterpretations.

The jar auctioned at Christie's Japanese and Korean Art sale during Asian Art Week was distinguished particularly by its wide shape — a notable technical achievement due to the risk of collapse during the firing process. Murakami also described the jar's glaze as "lustrous and rich" and praised its "impressive representation of the art of the Joseon era."

Previously, in 2023, another outstanding moon jar fetched $4.56 million at Christie’s, setting a record and underscoring the value of these unique pieces of Korean cultural heritage.