Large black glazed jar

This is a large jar with an outward-turning mouthrim, a short and straight neck, slanting shoulders, a slightly compressed globular belly and a flat base. Both the exterior and the interior are black glazed with some discoloration. The center of the base is also glazed in black and decorated with an embossed leaf pattern. The rest of the base is unglazed, exposing the yellowish brown body. The exterior of this large jar is adorned with moulded decorations. Around the shoulders is a band of evenly spaced beads followed by a band of zigzag patterns against a background of oblique lines in the opposite directions. The upper part of the slightly compressed globular belly indistinctly represents deer, crane and peony designs. The deer is symbolic of the high official emolument, honor, and success in study. The crane is a symbol of longevity. The peony, known as fu gui hua (the flower of wealth and rank), conveys a wish for official rank in the emperor's civil service, as well as a salary and perquisites to ensure wealth. The lower part of the belly as well as the interior of this jar is plainly decorated. Judging from the iconography of the decorations, this jar may have been used on some special occasion or ceremony. However, the designs here appear quite offhand and coarse. The interior is uneven and rough. Thus, the jar can also be just an object for daily use. As such, this piece should be a recent copy, probably made during the late 19th century to mid-20th century