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.
Hand-Held Moineau Mirror by Mithé Espelt
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
A hand-held mirror crafted from ceramic by the French artist Mithé Espelt, this piece showcases her signature Moineau design, adorned with an array of leaves and decorative elements....
Ceramic
Mid Century Pink and Purple Ceramic Box with Flowers by Mithé Espelt
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Toronto, ON
An exceptional mid century glazed ceramic box with purple and pink with flowers by famed artist, Mithé Espelt. The box lid is ceramic with a blackened wood base. Born in 1923, Mithé ...
Ceramic, Wood
$4,317
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
Mithé Espelt - "Bocage" Mirror, enameled ceramic, France 1970
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
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
Embossed Ceramic Box, Model "Flowers" by Mithé Espelt, France, 1970
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
A rectangular chest with three flowers glazed in green, blue and white. Crackled gold frame. Wooden base with green felt at the back. France, Circa 1970 Dimensions : Height ...
Earthenware
$3,352Sale Price|30% Off
Ceramic Constructivist mirror by Mithé Espelt, France, 1960's
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic mirror by Mithé Espelt, France, 1960's, Constructivist model
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
Round Mithe Espelt Ceramic Mirror with Blue Flower Decors
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Round ceramic mirror by Mithé Espelt with debossed flower motifs in blue, teal, green and white glaze. Marie Thérèse Espelt, aka. Mithé Espelt (1923-2020) Born in the town of Lunel...
Ceramic, Mirror
Mid Century Gold and Blue Ceramic Box with Birds by Mithé Espelt
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Toronto, ON
An exceptional mid century glazed ceramic box with liquid gold border and blue & white birds by famed artist, Mithé Espelt. The box lid is ceramic with a blackened wood base. Born in...
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 - "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
Ceramic Wall Mirror by Mithé Espelt, France, Vintage Design, 1970s
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic Mirror by Mithé Espelt, France, 1970s
Ceramic
Mithé Espelt Ceramic Hand Mirror Model "Quadrille" circa 1952
By Mithé Espelt
Located in London, GB
Rare hand-faced mirror designed by one of the greatest French ceramists Mithé Espelt (1923-2020) “Quadrille” model circa 1952. Gold enameled terracotta with cracked green cabochons. ...
Gold
$1,983
Box Bird bronze
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
Box Bird bronze Ceramic H x W x D : 27.00 cm. x 10.00 cm. x 6.50 cm. 10.63 in. x 3.94 in. x 2.56 in. Good condition This elongated box is topped by a stamped earthenware lid decor...
Gold Leaf
Ceramic mirror Fernande Massart , France, Vallauris, 1960's
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic mirror, France, 1970's
Ceramic
Mithé Espelt Pyramide Lamp, Crackled Gold, France, circa 1990
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
A rare pair of "Pyramides" table lamps by Mithé Espelt (1923–2020), created circa 1990 and produced by the artist’s workshop under her direct supervision. Handcrafted in stamped ear...
Gold
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
$2,100
Colombes
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
Colombes Ceramic H x W x D : 6.50 cm. x 26.50 cm. x 9.50 cm. 2.56 in. x 10.43 in. x 3.74 in. Very good condition This wooden box is topped by a stamped earthenware lid decorated wi...
Gold Leaf
Mithé Espelt Pyramide Lamp, Crackled Gold, France, circa 1990
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
A rare “Pyramide” table lamp by Mithé Espelt, designed circa 1990 and produced in a highly limited edition under the supervision of the artist. This sculptural piece perfectly illust...
Gold
Mithe Espelt Ceramic Wall Mirror Pink & Green Birds
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Fulton, CA
Glazed polychrome ceramic wall mirror by renowned French artist Mithé Espelt. Green and pink doves or lovebirds with crackled gold boarders. Titled "Colombes". France, circa. 1960's....
Ceramic, Mirror
$1,983
Gilded mirror
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
Gilded mirror Ceramic Catalog : Antoine Candau p.65 H x W x D : 21.00 cm. x 11.00 cm. x 1.00 cm. 8.27 in. x 4.33 in. x 0.39 in. Good condition ‘Oblong’ hand mirror, stamped clay a...
Gold Leaf
Iconic "Cuzco" ceramic mirror , Mithé Espelt, France 1970's
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
"Cuzco" ceramic mirror, by Mithé Espelt circa 1974 Rare ceramic mirror, shiny gold glazed, alternating smooth and crackled textures Original felt lining at the back Mithé Espelt ( ...
Ceramic
$1,750
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 - "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
$1,750
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
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
$2,567
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 - "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
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
Ceramic Mosaic-Style Mirror in Gold and Turquoise by Mithé Espelt, c. 1970
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Mid-century modern ceramic mirror designed by the French ceramist Mithé Espelt, dating from the 1970s. This piece showcases a geometric design reminiscent of a modernist mosaic. Th...
Ceramic, Mirror
Mid-Century French Ceramic Mirror with Bird and Foliage by Mithé Espelt, c. 1970
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Mid-century ceramic mirror by the French artist Mithé Espelt (1923–2020), handcrafted in Lunel, France, circa 1970. This collectible piece features a deeply embossed border depicting...
Ceramic, Mirror
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
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 - "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 Vivid Blue Ceramic Box with Golden Sun by Mithé Espelt
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Toronto, ON
An exceptional large mid century vivd blue glazed ceramic box with golden sun by famed artist, Mithé Espelt. The box lid is ceramic with a blackened wood base. Born in 1923, Mithé Es...
Ceramic, Wood
Mithé Espelt Santa Fé #1 Wall Mirror, Crackled Gold, France, circa 1977
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
A rare and highly refined ceramic mirror by Mithé Espelt, titled Santa Fé #1, created in 1977 under the direct supervision of the artist. This piece exemplifies Espelt’s distinctive ...
Gold
$2,100
Colombes
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
Colombes Ceramic Object dimensions (H x W x D) : 6.50 cm. x 27.00 cm. x 9.50 cm. (2.56 in. x 10.63 in. x 3.74 in.) Very good condition This wooden box is topped with an embossed ea...
Gold Leaf
Mithé Espelt Ceramic Mirror with Birds and Flowers, France c. 1970
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A rectangular ceramic wall mirror by Mithé Espelt (1923-2020), handcrafted in her studio in Lunel, France, circa 1970. Espelt, a celebrated French ceramicist, was revered for her ref...
Ceramic, Mirror
$3,150
Mirror Polynesia
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
Mirror Polynesia Ceramic, 1998 Catalog : Antoine Candau, p. 190 H x W x D : 29.50 cm. x 26.00 cm. x 2.00 cm. 11.61 in. x 10.24 in. x 0.79 in. Very good condition A mirror made of...
Ceramic, Mirror
$2,800
Mirror "Cage", 1960's
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
This mirror is imbued with the elegance and preciousness of Mithé Espelt's work. It features a pattern of birds and flowers enamelled in olive and brown, with a glaze that enhances...
Ceramic, Mirror
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
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
$1,050
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