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.
$2,204Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage French Jewellery Box with Enamel Lid and Toucan Motif by Mithé Espelt
By Mithé Espelt
Located in London, GB
Decorative jewellery box with enamel lid and toucan bird motif by Mithé Espelt (circa 1960s). Stylised toucan and lemon with vibrant colours crown this otherwise simple but elegant j...
Enamel
A square ceramic box, by Mithé Espelt. France, 1970
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Square ceramic lid box, model " Jupiter" by Mithé Espelt Embossed and glazed earthenware in green and crackle gold. Black painted wood box, Green felt lining. Including 23 patche...
Ceramic, Felt, Glass, Wood
Mithé Espelt Ceramic Jewelry Box, Mid-Century Modern, France, 1950s
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Mid-Century Ceramic Jewelry Box by Mithé Espelt — Lunel, France, 1950s. A stunning mid-century ceramic jewelry box crafted by renowned French artist Mithé Espelt in Lunel, France, d...
Ceramic, Wood
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
$2,314Sale Price|20% Off
Jewellery Box with Decorative Ceramic Lid by Mithé Espelt (circa 1960s)
By Mithé Espelt
Located in London, GB
Jewellery box with decorative ceramic lid by Mithé Espelt (circa 1960s). A series of yellow and green imperfect circles appear on the cover of the box like stepping stones in a garde...
Ceramic
Mithe Espelt Ceramic and Fused Glass Jewelry Box France c 1968
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Chicago, IL
Ceramic Jewelry Box by Mithé Espelt, France, 1960s Ceramic enamels in shades of green gold with fused glass with iconic blackened wood box. Literature: Mithé Espelt, le luxe discret...
Ceramic
Mithé Espelt Square Ceramic Box
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Decorative square box by Mithé Espelt, stained wood box covered with a ceramic lid showing a single white and blue flower framed with gold glaze....
Ceramic
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
$1,818Sale Price|20% Off
Decorative French Vintage Ceramic Thermometer and Casing by Mithé Espelt
By Mithé Espelt
Located in London, GB
Decorative, French vintage ceramic thermometer and casing by Mithé Espect (circa 1960s). A delightful piece with stylised bird and flower blossoms....
Ceramic
$2,155
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
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
Round " Perou" ceramic lead box by Mithé Espelt circa 1950.
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Round ceramic-lid jewel box, model " Pérou" by Mithé Espelt. Embossed and crackled gold glazed earthenware with 21 crystallized glass inclusions in shades of amber, yellow and white...
Earthenware, Felt, Glass, Fruitwood
Mithé Espelt Glazed Ceramic and Wood Box with Stylized Floral Motif
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Elegant decorative box designed by Mithé Espelt, France, circa 1960s. The piece features a hand-glazed ceramic lid resting on a simple stained wood base, exemplifying Espelt’s distin...
Ceramic, Wood
Mithé Espelt Glazed Ceramic and Wood Box with Repeating Floral Pattern
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Decorative lidded box designed by Mithé Espelt, France, circa 1960s. This example features a hand-glazed ceramic lid mounted on a minimalist stained wood base, showcasing Espelt’s re...
Ceramic, Wood
Mid Century Gold and Purple Ceramic Box with Flower by Mithé Espelt
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Toronto, ON
An exceptional mid century glazed ceramic box with liquid gold border and purple flower by famed artist, Mithé Espelt. The box lid is ceramic with a blackened wood base. Born in 1923...
Ceramic, Wood
$2,035
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
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
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
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
$1,795
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
$1,795
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
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
Willy Guhl Concrete Box with Lid, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural concrete crate by Willy Guhl. Handmade in Switzerland, in the 1960s. Rounded rectangular frame with indented ridge. With matching removable lid/cover. Great for outside st...
Cement
Mithé Espelt Square Ceramic Box
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Decorative square box by Mithé Espelt, stained wood box covered with a ceramic lid showing a single white and blue flower framed with gold glaze....
Ceramic
Mid Century Jewelry Box Hand Carved Wood Boob 1960s
By Dean Santner
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
This is a beautiful hand carved wood jewelry box in the style of Dean Santner. The boob shaped box twists open easily to reveal a compartment w...
Wood
$260
H 3.13 in W 3.75 in D 2.5 in
Ormolu and Glass Souvenir Trinket Jewelry Box, Lyon France, circa 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Antique French Églomisé Casket - Souvenir from Lyon, circa 1900 A charming French antique casket from circa 1900 with gilt brass fittings and clear glass panels. The hinged lid feat...
Crystal, Ormolu
Decorative metal box, France, 1970
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
A French decorative box from the 1970s, made of metal, both functional and ornamental. Its balanced and well-proportioned shape reflects the elegant, utilitarian design characteristic of decorative objects from this period. The metal surface has a natural patina, with slight signs of age that enhance its authenticity and vintage charm. Depending on the lighting, the metal reveals subtle reflections, adding depth and character to the object. Versatile, this box can be used as a catch-all, storage box, or purely decorative object. It integrates perfectly into a vintage, industrial, or contemporary interior, adding a graphic and timeless touch. Key features: Decorative metal box Made in France 1970s Functional and minimalist design Original patina Decorative and storage item Keywords: vintage metal box...
Metal
Rectangular wooden box, France, 1970
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Rectangular wooden box, France, 1970s, characterized by a richly veined veneer, likely burl, offering a particularly expressive natural design. Its surface displays a warm palette of...
Wood
French Antique Ormolu and Limoges Enamel Jewellery Box
By Limoges
Located in Newark, England
LIMOGES ENAMEL PANELS From our Decorative collection, we are delighted to offer this French Napoleon III Ormolu and Enamel Jewellery Box. The Jewellery...
Enamel, Ormolu
1960s French Ornate Inlaid Jewelry Box
Located in High Point, NC
A charming 1960s French jewelry box richly decorated with hand-applied shell inlay. The rectangular form is entirely encrusted with a carefully arranged composition of scallop shells...
Shell, Velvet, Wood
French Porcelain Jewelry Box
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in New York, NY
A French porcelain jewelry box, styled after Sèvres porcelain, in the Regency design style, circa late-19th century to early-20th century, France. Boxes' lid features outdoor nature scene with couple and dog surrounded by hand-painted gold detail i the Regency design style. Gold hand-painted detail featured on lid, front, sides and back of box. Great as a standalone piece or to hold jewelry (demonstrated) or other items on a desk, vanity, dresser, etc. Marked on underside as shown in last image, 'Made in France', 'Hand Decorated'. Box is a nice size. Dimensions: 2.75" Height x 4.13" Depth x 6.5" Width. Jewelry and other items shown available separately, search 1stDibs ref. #: For Italian Ginori box search 1stDibs ref. #: LU1314243501722 Cartier coffee...
Porcelain
Italian Murano Faceted Glass & Brass Hinged Box / Jewelry Box
Located in North Miami, FL
This beautiful hinged Murano glass box in pristine clear faceted glass and brass trim and original decorative key and tassel. It is a wonderful desk or...
Crystal, Metal
Decorative Box with lid, Vintage Wooden Brown Jewellery Box, Hand Carved
Located in Wembley, GB
A handmade wooden jewellery box with a lid and lock, it is perfectly designed and created in a suitable size for keeping valuables inside. The top of this box has leaf patterns and l...
Papercord, Boxwood, Driftwood
Italian Glass and Metal Jewelry Box, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
This charming small glass box with gilt metal mounts and a delicate handle instantly recalls the shape of a miniature suitcase. Made in Italy during the 1970s, it is a decorative obj...
Glass
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
Sold
H 2.37 in W 3.94 in D 3.94 in
Mithé Espelt Jewelry Box, Enameled Clay, Floral Design, France, 1970
By Mithé Espelt
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
A beautiful square jewelry box by the renowned ceramicist Mithé Espelt. Its lid is made of cream-glazed stamped earthenware, decorated with a floral design featuring a crackled gold ...
Clay
Trésor
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
Trésor Ceramic, 1953 Catalog : [Candau p.75] H x W x D : 7.50 cm. x 10.00 cm. x 14.50 cm. 2.95 in. x 3.94 in. x 5.71 in. Stamped clay with geometric patterns, enamels and gold ...
Gold Leaf
Jewelry box “Owl”
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
Rectangular jewelry box “Owl”, ceramic lid with polychrome enamels highlighted with gold on a crackled background. Original green felt lining. On this box, Mithé Espelt makes gold a...
Ceramic, Wood
Ceramic Vide-Poche / Ashtray by Mithé Espelt, France, 1960s
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic vide-poche / ashtray by Mithé Espelt, France, 1960s.
Ceramic
Mithé Espelt boxe
By Mithé Espelt
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Boite par Mithé Espelt décor de trois oiseaux.
Ceramic, Wood
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
White and Pink Fowers Ceramic Box by Mithé Espelt
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Rectangular wooden box topped with a ceramic lid by Mithé Espelt. The ceramic showcases a cream glaze background and flower motifs in molten pink glass with crackled gold lining. Bi...
Ceramic
Peacock Ceramic Box by Mithé Espelt
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Rectangular wooden box topped with a ceramic lid by Mithé Espelt. The ceramic showcases a unique peacock design, adorned with a cream glaze and crackled gold accents. Bibliographie:...
Ceramic
Colombes Mithé Espelt Box with Glazed Ceramic Lid
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
This exquisite piece showcases a rectangular wooden box topped with a ceramic lid. The ceramic features two doves facing each other, circling a heart, adorned with alternating glazes...
Ceramic, Wood
The Two Doves and the Branch
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
Radiance in a corner This wooden box is topped by a stamped earthenware lid decorated with orange and scarlet polychrome enamels. For Mithé Espelt, the object is an essential elemen...
Ceramic, Wood
Sunflower Jewelry Box
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
Slight enamel skip on one corner This wooden box is topped by a stamped earthenware lid adorned with burgundy enamel and a golden sunflower, offering a precious warm and luminous ha...
Gold Leaf