IDENTIFICATION PLEASE - 17TH? WINE TASTER

[smadgos]

Hello guys,
I need help with this solid silver wine taster.
There seems to be 2 marks but they are not clear AT ALL and that makes really hard to tell where and when was is it made.
If anyone succeeds in identifying anything it would be a great help. Thank you!

[Francais]

I would need to see better photos to be sure. You need to read up on using diffuse lighting. Having said that I think those are more likely wishful thinking than marks. I also doubt it earlier than 19th c. While 17th c. bowls like this are not what I would call rare, copies are quite common. There are several things you want to see. Recognizable marks, appropriate patina, owner's crest or monogram. Fire gilding is also a plus. From the photos provided, I would say yours lacks all of them. It does look hand made, but a lot of copies were made by hand. As to where it was made, yours looks rather generic. Of course these were primarily Germanic, meaning there were found in Germany, Switzerland, etc.
Maurice

[smadgos]

Thank you Maurice!
here is a clearer larger photo of the mark. i added my own lines in order to show you what i see\ imagine :)
Looks like a crown to me..

[Francais]

I should have been less flippant and more clear. It does not look like any mark I recognize. It looks more like a decoration tool was used to make something that looks vaguely like a mark. If it is a mark you would have to be very lucky to find someone who recognizes it by the cartouche. I think it is a 19th c. copy. you should probably compare the patina with your basket, it should be deeper, but my bet is that you will find it shallower.
Maurice