Mystery bronze jug with mystery mark

I am posting here in the hope that someone can help ID this mark on an unusual cast bronze jug. I have owned and researched this piece for 15+ years and have not been able to find another object with this mark! it is marked on the base and on the top of the cover - Thanks in advance!

 

where did you find it?
What town?

 

Welcome, jamaork22. What can you tell us that you have learned from your 15+ years of research, so that we don't have to start from scratch?

 

Hi- - thanks for looking! I found it in Ventura, California - in a small antique store with no information about it. I have many more detail pictures of it that I can post if you would like to see them -

 

I have not been able to find a comparable piece in all my research that has all of the unusual features that this one has - the construction, the overall shape, the type of applied strap handle with the straight thumbpiece, the additional decorative separate piece on the top of the lid shaped like a chrysanthemum flower, especially the type of spout and the fitted slide-on lid (no hinge) that has a piece that covers the spout, and finally the matching sun mark with 12 rays on the lid and the base. I have many more pictures of the details if you would like to see them. I have looked at examples from every country and time period to try to match it with anything similar - any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

 

show us.......... we live and die with good clear photo's...

 

here are two more combined view pics - please let me know if there are any other views you would like to see - Thanks!