Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Water Pitcher, circa 1900, the body with flanking Mermaid terms and the handle sculpted with a recumbent nude resting on cattails with scrolling vines and bindweed leaves, tapering to a foot with turtles and fish, engraved with a rococo scrolling e rim, 12" h. 10" depth from spout to handle, foot 4 1/2" dia., 1224 grams.Note: 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. In 1883, Alphonse Debain succeeded his father and grandfather. He established a registered partnership with a goldsmith Philippe Berthier. 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.