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Hi Forum,

I am hoping to confirm the maker of this French serving platter.

The maker's mark has the letters "A D" with a bird, which I believe is for Alphonse Debain (the mark in use from 1883-1911).

What I am unsure of is the following:

• Alphonse Dutac also used the letters "A D" with a bird (pigeon).
• The mark is a bit different than other examples I have come across attributed to either Debain or Dutac
  • The bird is slightly different
  • The letter "A" is flat at the top instead of pointed

I think the most likely explanation is that this is a variation of Alphonse Debain's mark (please confirm).

Images of the platter:











Other maker's marks that have been attributed to both Alphonse Debain and Alphonse Dutac (I have seen both marks attributed separately to both makers because of the similarity):

Hi,
More similar to a pigeon of Alphonse Dutac, but really there is a difference, both in letters and the bird.
Regards

Debain’s symbol is a woodcock (une bécasse). Although I’m a bit ornithologically challenged, my vote goes to Debain as maker of your platter. The long beak and the profile in general of your mark resembles a woodcock to me.

P.S.
Debain was a manufacturing silversmith, with high production. This type of hollowware would be typical of his manufacture.
Dutac on the other hand was a manufacturing jeweller. While jewellers did make silver tableware, a large piece of hollowware would not likely be part of his line of goods.
I wouldn’t hesitate to attribute your object to Debain.
Hope this helps you to decide.

I appreciate the excellent input from you both.

Having the three marks arranged in close proximity makes for a better comparison, and I would agree that this mark doesn't really look like either of the other two.

I agree with JayT that the long beak is quite distinctive and certainly resembles that of a woodcock (perhaps even to a greater extent than the mark already attributed to Alphonse Debain).

To my mind, this must be an alternate mark of Alphonse Debain.

Thanks again.