Korean Oak-Ash GlazedEarthenware Onggi Jar, 'Watermelon' Form
Meet the Korean Oak-Ash GlazedEarthenware Onggi Jar in 'Watermelon' Form, wheel-thrown by potters of Jingkwang Onggi in Boseong-gun, Jeollanam-do, South Korea.
A round shape resembling a watermelon with a solid texture, this vessel is glazed with natural oak-fired ash, giving the surface a natural sheen and unique coloration while preventing food from seeping in.
Despite its substantial weight, handles on both sides make it easy to lift. It’s a sculptural vessel that quietly fills a space while serving as a container for fermented foods.
These lidded onggi jars is called 'breathing' jar because their porous clay bodies allow air to circulate while remaining waterproof, a process that facilitates the natural fermentation of foods like kimchi and soy sauce. Its "breathing" capability provides a natural and effective environment for preserving and fermenting food, a tradition deeply rooted in Korean culture and cuisine.
Dimensions (excluding the lid): Φ 6.7" (17 cm) x H 7.1" (18 cm); holds 3.5 L in capacity
About Onggi: Onggi, or Korean “earthenware jars”, are made from clay and sand. When fired in a kiln, the vessel is left with microscopic pores. These holes allow for breathing, yet the end result is still water-tight, making onggi ideal for fermentation. The glaze on the exterior of the onggi is made of wood and grass ash mixed with soil and once applied, onggi is fired in the kiln once again. The science behind the firing sequence and the combination of the natural materials has been perfected over thousands of years.
About Jingkwang: In the early 1980's, Jingkwang Onggi built its Onggi-mak and kiln in Boseong in order to revive and maintain the tradition of onggi making. By 1996, Jingkwang won the Prime Minister's Award at the Traditional Crafts Competition for its onngi, and in 2006, its Yeonbong onngi jar was designated as a beautiful handcraft by UNESCO in North East Asia. Onggi-mak (meaning earthen house) was built in 1981 in keeping with the tradition of building walls with yellow clay and the thatched roof made from straw. The earthen house's natural temperature control allows it to remain cool in the summer and warm in the wintertime, thus perfect for making and drying onggi. All Jingkwang onggi's are crafted in Onggi-mak. All Jingkwang onggi pieces are handcrafted and coated with natural glaze made of using wood and grass ashes mixed with soil, and fired in the kiln at 1230 celsius.
