Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Not currently on display at the V&A
On short term loan out for exhibition

Jar

1800-1900 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Moon-jars, such as this one, were popular in the mid to late Choson dynasty (1392-1910) and were generally used for display. Dating to the 18th to 19th century, the jar exemplifies the taste for plain, undecorated white porcelain that prevailed during the Choson dynasty. In contrast to the delicate celadon stonewares of the Koryo period (918-1392AD), Choson ceramics may be characterised by their strong and sturdy appearance and unfrivolous decoration as they clearly embodied the religious and philosophical ideals of the Neo-Confucian doctrine that was favoured by the ruling elite.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Porcelain, glazed
Brief description
Jar, porcelain with bluish glaze, Korea, Choson dynasty, 1800-1900
Physical description
Despite several apparent faults (irregular oval profile, visible central seam and pooling of the greenish tinged glaze on one side), this jar conveys an impression of restful ease, reducing all these imperfections to insignificance.


Colour: White
Dimensions
  • Height: 36cm
  • Diameter: 12.3cm
Style
Credit line
Given by Nicholas Grindley in memory of his parents
Object history
Purchased by the donor from Christie's South Kensington 1983.
Production
Note revised dating, based on shape and bluish tinge to glaze. Previously attributed to 17th century.
Summary
Moon-jars, such as this one, were popular in the mid to late Choson dynasty (1392-1910) and were generally used for display. Dating to the 18th to 19th century, the jar exemplifies the taste for plain, undecorated white porcelain that prevailed during the Choson dynasty. In contrast to the delicate celadon stonewares of the Koryo period (918-1392AD), Choson ceramics may be characterised by their strong and sturdy appearance and unfrivolous decoration as they clearly embodied the religious and philosophical ideals of the Neo-Confucian doctrine that was favoured by the ruling elite.
Bibliographic references
  • McKillop, Beth. Korean art and design: the Samsung gallery of Korean art. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1992, Plate 27.
  • Korean Art, 5th to 19th century, From european Museums and Collections. exhibition catalogue. Dr Youngsook Park. p.39. plate 42
Collection
Accession number
FE.32-1983

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Record createdDecember 15, 1999
Record URL
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