Marie-Thérèse Espelt, known better as Mithé Espelt, was a dominant force in mid-20th-century ceramics in France. Mithé is remembered for her modern ceramic wall mirrors, gilded and enameled ashtrays and other ornate objects and boxes, often featuring birds and lively colors. She preferred not to sign her pieces and, as a consequence, much of her work has been misattributed, including to French ceramist François Lembo.
Mithé grew up in the Camargue region of France. Her father’s extensive network included 1904 Nobel Prize winner Frédéric Mistral and Parisian painter and decorator Jean Hugo. Mithé’s early introduction to a community of artists inspired her to study sculpture and drawing at the Beaux-Arts School in Montpellier in 1939.
Mithé’s early work caught the attention of French ceramist Emilie Decanis and jewelry distributor Charles Démery. Mithé set up a ceramics workshop in the Hôtel de Bernis in Lunel, where she quickly garnered a reputation for her ceramic work and accessories, including mirrors, jewelry boxes and buttons. Démery founded the Souleiado boutique, which began distributing Mithé’s work, thus attracting a worldwide audience.
French author Antoine Candau wrote a retrospective book on Mithé’s career titled Mithé Espelt, the Discreet Luxury of the Every Day, which contributed to bringing her legacy to the forefront while shedding light on her anonymity. While Mithé was respected within her inner circle, the general public is only now beginning to understand the immense talent behind her over five-decade-long career.
Find Mithé Espelt mirrors, decorative objects, wall decorations and more for sale on 1stDibs.
$3,275
Square mirror
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
Square mirror Ceramic, 1965 H x W x D : 31.00 cm. x 31.00 cm. x 2.00 cm. 12.2 in. x 12.2 in. x 0.79 in. Very good condition This square mirror reflects the elegance and refinemen...
Ceramic, Felt, Mirror
$4,445
Espelt Mythé Mirror
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Charmes, FR
Mithé Espelten ceramic mirror in very good condition, rare color
Ceramic
Small Thermometer in Ceramic By Mithe Espelt with Bird decor
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Charming ceramic wall thermometer by Mithé Espelt, adorned with floral designs and a prominent bird, all showcased in various shades of blue glaze. A small decorative thermometer ma...
Ceramic
Ceramic mirror by Mithé Espelt, France, 1960's
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic mirror by Mithé Espelt, France, 1970's
Ceramic
Hand held Mirror With Ceramic Frame by Mithe Espelt
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Handheld mirror featuring a ceramic frame adorned with a decorative pink bird, designed by Mithé Espelt. Marie Thérèse Espelt, aka. Mithé Espelt (1923-2020) Born in the town of Lun...
Ceramic, Mirror
$1,754
Box Birds
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
This wooden box is topped by a stamped earthenware lid decorated with bluish, green and white polychrome enamels. For Mithé Espelt, the object is an essential element of the boudoir....
Ceramic, Wood
Gold Ceramic Thermometer by Mithé Espelte
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Beautiful wall thermometer in ceramic by Mithé Espelt. Abstract decors with gold glaze and pockets of molten glass Marie Thérèse Espelt, aka. Mithé Espelt (1923-2020) Born in...
Ceramic
Mithé Espelt Ceramic Bird Vide-Poche/ Baguier, circa 1968, France.
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Brussels, BE
Rare and poetic Mithé Espelt "Bird" ceramic vide-poche/ baguier, c.1968, France. Gold, ivory, black enameled and cracked earthenware. Dimensions: 11,5 cm W, 11,5 cm D, 2 cm H. Beauti...
Earthenware
Gold rectangular mirror by Mithé Espelt/ François Lembo
By François Lembo, Mithé Espelt
Located in PAU, FR
Rectangular ceramic mirror by Francois Lembo/ Mithe espelt Perfect condition Signed behind
Ceramic
$1,754
Flowers Jewellery box
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
Glazed ceramic jewellery box with flowers and blackened wooden base. This beautiful jewelry box is topped with a stamped earthenware lid and decorated with a floral enamel motif fea...
Ceramic, Wood
Mithé Espelt - "Fleurs" mirror, enameled ceramic, gold, circa 1967
By Mithé Espelt
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Mithé Espelt (1923-2020) "Fleurs" mirror. France, c. 1967 Enameled and glazed ceramic and gold. Diameter : 30 cm. Bibliography : Antoine Candau, Mithé Espelt, the discreet luxury of ...
Gold
Ceramic mirror Fernande Massart , France, Vallauris, 1960's
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic mirror, France, 1970's
Ceramic
$4,445
Mithé Espelt Mirror 1970
By Mithé Espelt
Located in LU
Ceramic wall mirror with birds and flowers (around the 1970s) by Mithé Espelt. A decorative piece surmounted by two pairs of enamel birds above and below the square mirror. The mirro...
Ceramic, Mirror
Ceramic Thermometer by Mithé Espelte with Flower Motif
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Wall thermometer in ceramic by Mithé Espelt. Typical flower decor with the numeral indication of the temperature. Marie Thérèse Espelt, aka. Mithé Espelt (1923-2020) Born in the...
Ceramic
Embossed and glazed ceramic mirror, Mithé Espelt, 1960's
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Embossed and partly glazed earthenware mirror. The ceramic is glazed in shades of bright yellow and green, crackled gold frame around the mirror and on the external edge. The upper ...
Earthenware, Felt, Mirror
Ceramic mirror " Engrenages" by Mithé Espelt, circa 1958.
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Embossed and crackled gilt ceramic frame with 18 inclusions of light green crystallized glass Modèle " Engrenage" circa 1958 by Mithé Espelt 1923-2020. Produced in her Lunel works...
Earthenware, Felt, Mirror
$1,052
Mirror
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
To embellish women's everyday lives, the French ceramist imagines rare objects such as this small-format mirror, ideal for carrying in your handbag. A red ceramic pearl hangs from th...
Ceramic, Mirror
Mithé Espelt - "Soleil" mirror, ceramic, gold
By Mithé Espelt
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
SOLEIL Embossed and glazed earthenware, crackled gold. France, c.1962. Dimensions. : 32 x 23 cm - 12,5 x 9 in.
Gold
Mithé Espelt Quadrille Wall Mirror, Kiln-Fired Gold Rare Early Mirror
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
A rare and highly refined mirror by Mithé Espelt, this exceptional “Quadrille” model embodies the discreet luxury and poetic modernism that define her work. Created in the early 1950...
Gold
$2,573
Square Mirror
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
A singular object, faithful to the artist's sunny, luxurious universe. Mithé Espelt creates the border of this mirror in stamped and enameled clay. The beautifully glazed enamels fea...
Ceramic, Mirror
Mithé Espelt - Mirror "Bocage", ceramic
By Mithé Espelt
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Mithé Espelt (1923-2020) "Bocage" mirror. Enameled and glazed ceramic and crackled gold. Decorated with two balls, adorned with birds and flowers. Dimensions : 27,5 x 22,5 cm. Bibli...
Ceramic, Glass
Sautoir en Terre Estampée et Émaillée par Mithé Espelt
By Mithé Espelt
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Necklace by Mithé Espelt, stamped and glazed earthenware jewelry from the 1950s. The "Couture Jewelry" pieces designed by Mithé Espelt at the beginning of her career were very succes...
Ceramic
Mithé Espelt - "Orchidées" mirror, ceramic, gold and crystallized glass
By Mithé Espelt
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
ORCHIDÉES Embossed and glazed earthenware,crackled gold and crystallized glass. France, circa 1960. Diameter : 26 cm.
Gold
Earthenware mirror by Mithé Espelt, model "Cuzco" created in 1974
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
Gold enameld earthenware mirror by Mithé Espelt, Cuzco Model created in 1974
Ceramic
Mithé Espelt - "Millefleurs" mirror, glazed ceramic, gold
By Mithé Espelt
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Mithé Espelt (1923-2020) "Millefleurs" mirror. France, c. 1965 Enameled and glazed ceramic and gold. Diameter : 26,5 cm. Bibliography : Antoine Candau, Mithé Espelt, the discreet lux...
Gold
Mithé Espelt - "Fleurs" mirror, ceramic and gold, france, 1967
By Mithé Espelt
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Mithé Espelt (1923-2020) "Fleurs" mirror. France, c. 1967 Enameled and glazed ceramic and gold. Diameter : 30 cm. Bibliography : Antoine Candau, Mithé Espelt, the discreet luxury of ...
Gold
Mithé Espelt - "Millefleurs" mirror, glazed ceramic, gold, France 1965
By Mithé Espelt
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Mithé Espelt (1923-2020) "Millefleurs" mirror. France, c. 1965 Enameled and glazed ceramic and gold. Diameter : 26,5 cm. Bibliography : Antoine Candau, Mithé Espelt, the discreet lux...
Gold
Mithé Espelt mirror "Bocage" French, 1970, enameled ceramic and crackled gold
By Mithé Espelt
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Mithé Espelt (1923-2020) "Bocage" mirror. Enameled and glazed ceramic and crackled gold. Decorated with two balls, adorned with birds and flowers. Dimensions : 27,5 x 22,5 cm. Bibli...
Gold
Round gilt and glazed ceramic mirror by Mithé Espelt, circa 1970
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Ceramic framed round mirror. Embossed and glazed earthenware: Gilt frame with crackled finish, partly covered with bird, grapes and leaves decoration glazed in shades of pink, w...
Ceramic, Mirror
Mirror Model Pique De Mithé Espelt
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Charmes, FR
Round ceramic mirror, "Pique" model by Mithé Espelt, in very good condition, unusual color
Ceramic
Ceramic mirror by Mithé Espelt, France, 1960's
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic mirror by Mithé Espelt, Mérida decor, France, 1970's
Ceramic
Ceramic Jewelry Box by Mithé Espelt, France, 1960s
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic jewelry box by Mithé Espelt, France, 1960s Stamped clay, enamels in shades of green, gold, blackened wood box Date of creation: around 1955-1960 Bibliography: " Mithé Espelt,...
Ceramic
Mithé Espelt - "Fleurs" mirror, ceramic and gold, france, c.1967
By Mithé Espelt
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Mithé Espelt (1923-2020) "Fleurs" mirror. France, c. 1967 Enameled and glazed ceramic and gold. Diameter : 3à cm. Bibliography : Antoine Candau, Mithé Espelt, the discreet luxury of ...
Gold
Mid Century Pink and Blue Ceramic Box with Birds by Mithé Espelt
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Toronto, ON
An exceptional mid century glazed ceramic box with blue border and lavender & pink birds by famed artist, Mithé Espelt. The box lid is ceramic with a blackened wood base. Born in 192...
Ceramic, Wood