A different Alphonse Debain hallmark?

[muraille]

The usual Debain hallmark is A woodcock D. This is fully marked Debain with what looks like 2 people in a bathtub. Is this another Debain silversmith or is this just a different Alphonse Debain hallmark? The tray is also marked with a bigorne with ants. Any comments would be appreciated.
Hotlinks to hallmarks:
http://a.imagehost.org/0473/feb3_007.jpg
http://a.imagehost.org/0673/feb3_011.jpg

[2209patrick]

Hello.

I think your mark is a later mark, than the A Woodcock D, from the same firm.

The scan below is from this French site:
http://www.culture.gouv.fr/public/mistr ... 4%24%2534P
Type in Debain across from patronyme.



Pat.

[blakstone]

It’s actually an earlier mark, that of Debain’s grandfather, François-Alphonse Debain. It was registered on 15 Jan 1847, renewed on 19 Jul 1851, and cancelled on 27 May 1864. The device — “un nacelle et deux petits hommes” [“a skiff with two little men”] - was also used in the mark of his son and successor, Alphonse-Edouard Debain in his partnership with Louis-Frédéric Flamant, working as Debain & Flamant, 1864-1880. The firm was succeeded by Flamant’s heirs as Flamant & Fils, 1880-1891.

Alphonse-Edouard Debain’s son Alphonse, however, became the successor to nearby silversmith Philippe Berthier, whose mark since 1847 had been “PB” with “un bécasse” [“a woodcock”], hence its appearance in his Alphonse Debain’s mark, 1883-1911.

Hope this helps!

[muraille]

Does it ever! Thank you so much, it's wonderful to know it's even older than I thought. I was afraid it was a copy although the bigorne was reassuring.