Important Silversmiths - Alphonse Debain
Alphonse Debain was a French silversmith, originating from a family of hereditary silver and gold makers. He produced exquisite tea sets and tableware of the finest quality.
The first Debain hallmark was registered by Debain’s grandfather, François-Alphonse Debain in 1847 who was active until 1867 and produced mainly tea sets, candlesticks and snuff boxes.
Alphonse Debain’s father, Alphonse-Édouard continued the family business. In 1864, he registered a firm, called “Debain & Flamant” in cooperation with a prominent silver maker Louis-Frédéric Flamant. In 1883, Alphonse Debain succeeded his father and grandfather. He established a registered partnership with a goldsmith Philippe Berthier. Both under the firm’s and his own mark he manufactured splendid items of precious metals, that are still used and appreciated all over the world.
Debain’s craftsmanship was on display at the Universal Exhibition of 1889 in Paris, winning a gold medal. The next year, he joined the jury committee of the same competition. The Universal Exhibition in Glasgow in 1901 and the French Decorative Art Exhibition in Copenhagen in 1909 were among other remarkable exhibitions where Debain’s pieces were presented and gained notorious appreciation from some of the world’s most famous art connoisseurs.
Debain worked mostly in the French Empire style. Along with Jean Baptiste Claude, one of La Maison Odiot masters, also recognised for his spectacular empire pieces, he was one of Europe’s most iconic silversmiths of that time.
Elegant in their simplicity, exceptional silver items created by Alphonse Dubain remain valuable and desirable to this day.
