White Porcelain of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910):

In the early years of the Joseon dynasty, the presence of this grayish-blue-powdered celadon - Buncheong celadon - was limited to the Korean peninsula, but after the 15th century, with the influence of the Ming dynasty of China, white porcelain became dominant style of the Joseon age.

Adopted as imperial ware by the Joseon in the 15th century, the government maintained a group of kilns called Bunwon in Gwangju, near the capital city, Seoul. This forge came to supply porcelain for the court and the royal family, and continued to do so until the 19th century. The white porcelain produced at the Bunwon is of varying quality. Some were intended for the court, and many were made for different bureaus of the central government, but also for wealthy civilians. Since the 15th century, Gwangju has been a Mecca for the production of this unique porcelain. By the 16th century, ownership of white porcelain was no longer exclusive to the court or even the privileged ruling class in the capital, and regional kilns all over the Korean peninsula began actively creating white porcelain works. During the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, dishes, bowls, bottles, and jars materialized by the thousand. They were used as tableware for special occasions, ceremonies, and even implemented as burial vessels.

In the eighteenth century, large, round, pearlescent vessels called size moon jars gained abrupt and massive popularity. Light in color, with smooth, seamless lines, moon jars are Korea’s adoration for the color white, made manifest. Serving as the national color for the people of the Joseon and many Koreans since the 15th century, the color white is symbolic of purity and integrity.

The masters of porcelain work in the Joseon era loved to express light gray and ivory white on the surface of their pieces. If such artists felt the temptation of splendor and colorful beauty, they refrained from expressing such desires in their pieces.  Joseon porcelain is straightforward, honest, and minimalist. There is a quiet grace to be found in its smooth surfaces, bare of ornamentation. It has a simple beauty, elegance, and composure that encourages relaxation, stillness, and quiet contemplation.

Neo-Confucianism, which places an emphasis on the uprightness and integrity of the ruling class, was the governing philosophy of the Joseon era. This new white porcelain symbolized an upright, clean, honest life, especially for scholars and the ruling class, but also for simple people leading quiet, honest, and noble lives.

The most representative works of white porcelain include a moon jar at the British Museum and three moon jars preserved in the Korean National Treasury, 262, 309, and 310 in South Korea. The 17th and 18th century served as a golden age for arts and literature in the Joseon dynasty, and it was in this period that the form of moon jars was conceived of. Their enduring beauty and quiet strength provide the best example of aesthetic thought and moderation among Korean artistic works today.