Hi Peter and Stan,
Is this a Republic Period porcelain jar? Otherwise, is it a later piece? The artwork looks like two court maidens and a spotted deer.
Thank you,
Bokaba
Hi Bokaba, this looks like late 19th to early republic, more like 1900, I have vases with similar decoration, sorry I can't help the the Chinese characters.
Thanks Stan. This looks like a depiction of the deity Magu and her spotted deer (believed to be able to sniff out the fungus of immortality I think) and an attendant. From what I could tell, Magu was a popular porcelain motif during the Kangxi Revival period (late 19th/early 20th centuries), which would fit into your dating. Hopefully, Peter can add more.
Bokaba
gotheborg.com/glossary/magu.shtml#Q