Alphonse Debain

French silversmith, Alphonse Debain, came from a family of hereditary silversmiths and goldsmiths. He produced exquisite silver tea sets and tableware of the finest quality.

The first Debain hallmark was registered by Debain's grandfather, François-Alphonse Debain in 1847, primarily making tea sets, candlesticks and snuff boxes.

Alphonse Debain's father, Alphonse-Édouard continued the family business and 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 and established a registered partnership with goldsmith Philippe Berthier, manufacturing superb items in precious metals, both under the firm's and his own mark; many of which 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. He exhibited at The Universal Exhibition in Glasgow in 1901 and the French Decorative Art Exhibition in Copenhagen in 1909 where his work was admired and celebrated by from some of the world's most famous art connoisseurs.

Debain worked mostly in the French Empire style and, along with Jean Baptiste Claude, one of La Maison Odiot's masters, was recognised for his spectacular empire pieces, ranking him as one of Europe's most iconic silversmiths of his day.

Elegant in their simplicity, his exceptional silver pieces remain valuable and desirable to this day.