A Joseon Dynasty Moon Jar has sold for approximately $2.83 million at auction. On Thursday, Christie’s Korea announced that the 18th-century white porcelain jar was sold for $2.83 million (including fees) at Christie’s New York Korean and Japanese Art Auction. This amount significantly surpassed the estimated price of 36 billion won (around $24.5 million). The new owner is reportedly an American.
The piece sold is the famous Joseon white porcelain jar, commonly known as the Moon Jar, due to its round, full shape resembling the moon. It is considered an iconic symbol of Korean art. Notably, the jar stands 45 cm tall and wide, offering a nearly perfect, symmetrical form. Its exquisite glaze further enhances its value as a highly collectible item. The Moon Jar has become a blue-chip asset in art, regularly generating considerable attention at auctions. In March 2023, a Moon Jar set a record when it was sold for $4.56 million, making it the highest-priced Moon Jar ever sold.
Christie’s Korea also reported that 28 Korean pieces were sold at the same Korean and Japanese art auction, with a total hammer price of 6.4 billion won (around $4.36 million). After the white porcelain jar, the second-highest-selling Korean artwork was a blue-and-white porcelain jar featuring a bamboo and plum blossom design, believed to have been made in the 15th to 16th century. It sold for $302,400.
Other noteworthy sales included a celadon-inlaid peony-pattern jar from the Goryeo Dynasty (13th century) that sold for $119,700 and a 12th-century celadon carp-shaped seal for $40,320. These pieces sold for 8 to 10 times their low estimates, drawing significant attention from collectors.