Moon Jar

2007

Korean, born 1947

White porcelain wares were favored by the royal court during the Joseon dynasty (1392–1910), largely because the color white suggests purity, honesty, and modesty—Confucian virtues that were valued at the time. The moon jar possesses a distinctive form, which evokes the full moon and hence the name. Park Young-sook is renowned for her re-creation of Joseon-dynasty moon jars. This "full moon" jar, with a milky white body and an all-over transparent glaze, unites the purity of form of traditional Korean pottery with modern technical prowess.

Porcelain with clear glaze

20 x 19 1/2 in. (50.8 x 49.5 cm)

Gift of Frank S. Bayley III, in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Seattle Art Museum

2007.86

Provenance: The artist; purchased by Frank S. Bayley, San Francisco, California; to Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, Washington, 2007

Photo: Susan Cole

Not currently on view

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Luminous: The Art of Asia, October 13, 2011 - January 8, 2012.

Seattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Transforming Traditions: Japanese and Korean Art since 1800, May 23, 2009 - Feb. 21, 2010.

Seattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Boundless: Stories of Asian Art, February 8, 2020 - ongoing [on view February 8, 2020 - July 29, 2024].

Seattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Meot: Korean Art from the Frank Bayley Collection, August 28, 2024 - March 9, 2025.

Published ReferencesIshikawa, Chiyo, ed. "A Community of Collectors: 75th Anniversary Gifts to the Seattle Art Museum." Seattle: Seattle Art Museum, 2007, illus. p. 89

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