King Sunjo’s Placenta Outer Jar

This is the placenta jar of King Sunjo, the 23rd king of Joseon (r.1800-1834). It has a short, voluminous body with a large lid and is coated with bluish white porcelain glaze. The handles of the jar are attached below its shoulder. King Sunjo was born in the 6th lunar month and his placenta was entombed in the 8th lunar month of the same year at Mt. Songnisan, Boeun-gun, North Chungcheong Province in 1790, the 14th year of King Jeongjo’s reign.