Joseon 'Moon Jar' Captivates New York... Sold for 4.1 Billion Won

Sold for Far Exceeding the Estimated Price
28 Korean Artworks Auctioned in New York

A Joseon Dynasty white porcelain 'Moon Jar' that appeared at Christie's auction in the United States was sold for about 4.1 billion won, far exceeding the estimated price.

At the 'Korean and Japanese Art' auction held on the 18th (local time) at Christie's New York in New York, 28 Korean artworks were sold, recording a total winning bid amount of $4,400,188 (about 6.4 billion won).

Baekja Large Jar Joseon Dynasty (18th century). CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD

The Moon Jar (AN IMPORTANT WHITE PORCELAIN MOON JAR) featured in this auction was 45 cm tall and attracted attention even before the auction. Given the recent strong industry interest in Moon Jars, the estimated price was set high at $1.8 million to $2.5 million (about 2.58 billion to 3.58 billion won), but the actual winning bid exceeded that. After a competitive bidding, it was sold to an American bidder for $2,833,000 (412.5 million won including buyer's premium).

The name Moon Jar comes from the round shape of the jar's body, resembling the moon, and it is also called 'Baekja Daeho,' meaning a large white porcelain jar. It was produced at Bunwon Gwan Kiln in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, from the late 17th century to the early 18th century. The art world estimates that only about 20 Moon Jars from the late Joseon period are currently preserved. In particular, white porcelain jars over 40 cm in size from the Joseon Dynasty were mainly used for royal ceremonies, which adds to their high value.

Many large Moon Jars from the late Joseon period held domestically are designated as national treasures. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is known to have collected Moon Jar paintings by artist Choi Young-wook (59) in 2011, and the popularity of Moon Jars is soaring in the global art market.

Earlier, in March 2023, at Christie's New York auction, an 18th-century Joseon Dynasty white porcelain Moon Jar was sold for $4.56 million (about 6 billion won), far surpassing the initial estimate of $1 million to $2 million (about 1.3 billion to 2.6 billion won at the time).

Christie's is the only international auction house specializing in Korean antiques. In this auction, where 28 Korean artworks were exhibited, besides the large white porcelain jar, a 15th to 16th-century Joseon Dynasty white porcelain blue-and-white plum and bamboo pattern small pot was sold for $302,400 (about 440 million won including buyer's premium).