Korean artist Lee Dasol presents porcelain works that borrow the texture of leather placed on the surface of ceramic, arousing questions and the desire to touch her pieces. The usual warmth and softness of leather is matched by the coldness and hardness of porcelain, for a very sensory experience.

For this vase, whose shape is borrowed from traditional Korean moon jars, but whose perception changes depending on the angle from which it is observed (full shape or on the contrary very fine, almost like a line), the artist used a mold in which she poured the porcelain while creating leather texture surfaces with its reliefs and natural shadows. Its generous shape (Width 31cm) and its style make it a piece that is both very contemporary while being deeply Korean, and a very strong presence, a wonderful decorative work. The vase is signed by the artist at its base.

The Moon Jar is a white porcelain art ware whose organic, rounded shape and almost unreal balance are specific to Korea, a very strong cultural heritage that continues to inspire today's artisans.

Please note, this is a unique piece.

PLACE OF MANUFACTURE	SOUTH KOREA
DIMENSIONS	Height 23cm - Width at widest point 31cm - Depth at deepest point 6cm
WEIGHT	700gr
MATERIALS	Porcelain

CARE INSTRUCTIONS : Handle with care. Do not put in the dishwasher, oven, microwave, hand wash.

The Moon Jar, the Korean icon

The quintessence of Korean aesthetics, the Moon Jar has spanned the centuries and continues to leave its mark on a whole new generation of artisans.

THE MOON JAR, INTIMATELY LINKED TO KOREAN HERITAGE

During the Joseon period (1392-1910), Korea, whose daily life was organized by the precepts of Confucianism, perfected the form and spirit of the Moon Jar, which then had two uses: one ceremonial, to present floral arrangements and the other utilitarian to store food, including rice. At the end of the war, after years of Japanese occupation, Korea's identity was built around this porcelain, the form of which did not exist in China or Japan, signifying the recognition of its own culture.

The Moon Jar is all borrowed from the principles of confusionism: modesty, simplicity, austerity, humility and purity. Because it is not about creating the perfect sphere, but on the contrary, about creating symmetry in the assumed asymmetry, so that it reveals itself differently depending on the angle from which it is observed, recalling nature and its subtle changes, whose imperfection we accept.

COMPLEXITY IN SIMPLICITY

Although simple in appearance, the Moon Jar is nonetheless extremely complex to make. Historically, the Jars were large, up to 40cm in diameter. The porcelain from which they are still made is much more difficult to work than the celadon also used in Korea, because it requires a finer and purer white clay, from which the impurities and iron will have been extracted, and 2 firings, the last of which is at a very high temperature (1250°C), therefore a lot of wood. The final result is more random, especially since the particularity of this porcelain is to be assembled, by hand on the potter's wheel, in 2 parts (the top on one hand, the bottom on the other hand), like 2 bowls which are then assembled, which can create a slight demarcation line more or less visible which had its place in the aesthetics but which could react differently to the fire of the kiln. The glaze, through different recipes developed by each craftsman (which could involve ash for example), made it possible to keep the final shades in the purity of the variations of whites and unbleached colours.

THE MOON LET ITSELF BE OBSERVED

The dalhangardi Jar (Moon in Korean) has its inspiration in its name: its organic shapes reveal a slight asymmetry, and its clay and glaze leave the jar in a slightly milky tint, like the moon that one would not quite look at on an evening when it is full. The jar seems all the more to float in space because its proportions are a little unreal: a base narrower than the neck, which is itself very short, a rounded body which at its greatest width is almost identical to the height of the Jar.

From an ancient piece perfected by master craftsmen centuries ago, the Moon Jar remains an icon for all Korean potters, who from the most traditional to the most contemporary continue to be inspired by its shapes and symbolism. It remains the highlight of any exhibition or gallery dedicated to the expression of Korean culture.

At Atelier Ikiwa we are proud to offer you a small selection of very high quality Korean Moon Jars, carefully selected in Korea for the emotion they gave us, their quality of execution, the strength of the symbols and the purity of their forms.

This object keeps in memory the hand of the craftsman who patiently designed it. It will accompany your daily life moments while contributing to the preservation of unique artisanal know-how.