Chinese Antique Porcelain Cricket Box with Gold Painted Text and Decoration carved wooden stick which also focused on producing

which also focused on producing wares for export to the U

which sold on Ebay for $99

with a 2 1/4" diameter at base and 3/4" diameter at lip

with a natural edge with the marking MK BO JIA

others I think not

Chinese Antique Porcelain Cricket Box with Gold Painted Text and Decoration carved wooden stick which also focused on producingWhen I purchased this piece, it was, understandably, marked as an incense box (and I think has been, and is perfectly suited to use as such), but it was originally created (in the second half of the 19th century I believe) to house a cricket, a symbol of vitality and prosperity in China, and kept near in boxes like this so to enjoy their chirping. This one, glazed a deep orange with hand painted gold decoration, features leaves grasses on the top and