Korean moon jar shatters auction house record, selling for $2.5M

An 18th-century Korean moon jar was sold for 3.4 billion won ($2.5 million) at Seoul Auction. [SEOUL AUCTION]

A Korean moon jar broke the record once again at Seoul Auction.

The nation's biggest auction house in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, announced Wednesday that an 18th-century moon jar sold for 3.4 billion won ($2.5 million) during its auction a day earlier.

The moon jar, which is presumed to have been produced in the early 18th century, is 47.5 centimeters (18 inches) tall. It has a nearly flawless round form for which appraisers evaluated it to be a valuable piece of art comparable to that of the moon jars that have been designated as national treasures. Its preservation and condition are also said to be excellent, as it has well maintained its milky-white hue.

The highest auction price for a moon jar in a domestic auction to date was 3.1 billion won, sold in June 2019.

Moon jars are a type of round, white porcelain jar made during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), especially in the 18th century.

Moon jars above 40 centimeters in height were mostly used in royal ceremonies and therefore are highly valued, according to Seoul Auction.

“The surviving amount of moon jars is scarce, amounting to approximately 20 pieces, including three national treasures," it added.

Moon jars sell at high prices on the global stage, also. In March, one moon jar was auctioned off at $4.56 million at a Christie’s New York auction and another at $3.4 million in September at Sotheby’s New York auction.

BY LEE CHAE-MIN [lee.chaemin1@joongang.co.kr]