b. 1950

Dae-hyun Son, master of lacquer and mother-of-pearl inlay, reimagines Korea’s iconic moon jar through the rare and intricate geonchil (dry lacquer) technique.

Rather than working in clay and glaze, he constructs each vessel by layering hemp cloth and lacquer over a sculpted form, achieving a light yet durable structure. Onto these rounded forms—faithful in spirit to the serene asymmetry of 18th-century Joseon moon jars—Sohn applies luminous urushi finishes and elaborate mother-of-pearl patterns, from traditional chrysanthemum and arabesque motifs to the subtle crackle of eggshell inlay.

His work transforms the moon jar’s quiet whiteness into radiant surfaces of deep color and intricate ornament, merging the tactile gravity of lacquer with the iridescence of nacre. For over a decade, Sohn has pursued this series, seeking to preserve the emotional warmth and timeless elegance of the moon jar while opening it to new material and visual possibilities, thus bridging Korea’s most cherished ceramic form with the enduring artistry of lacquerware.

Dry-Lacquered Moon Jar with Inlaid Mother-of-Pearl, ottchil hemp mother-of-pearl, 46.5×47(h)cm, 2021