Bowl with two dragons; Chinese or japanese?

[Silbersammler]

Greetings to all,

the newest item in my collection is a bowl of silver with two dragons, who are riveted. A very detailed and hand-forged work.
At the bottom there is an old date of 1898 and two hallmarks.
I could not find the hallmarks, neither in my books nor here on this side. So I`m not sure, is it china or japan?
Maybe anybody can help me with the hallmarks.




Kind regards
Steffen

[artsasia]

Looks a lot like the Japanese jungin 'pure silver' mark - see under Japanese marks in main listing. Characters are just arranged differently. SM marks for a Western retailer?

[Silbersammler]

@ artsasia
Thanks for your help. The hallmark on the bowl and the japanese "pure silver mark" are not very similar, IMHO.
So I`m not sure if it is really made in japan.
Maybe anybody can read the cryptic writing?

Kind regards
Steffen