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.
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
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 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 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
Mithé Espelt Vintage Ceramic Box, France, Wood & Ceramic, Circa 1970
By Mithé Espelt
Located in PARIS, FR
Mithé ESPELT (1923 - 2020) Boite France, vers 1970 Céramique & bois H : 6,5 cm / L : 27 cm / P : 10 cm Mithé ESPELT (1923 - 2020) Box France, circa 1970 Ceramic & wood H : ...
Ceramic
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
$423 / set
H 5.91 in W 4.34 in D 4.34 in
Ceramic Boxes with small ceramic tiles Decoration Pattern France 1970 Set of 3
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Ceramic Boxes with small ceramic tiles Decoration Pattern France 1970 Set of 3
Ceramic
Box in Ceramic with Floral Decoration Pattern
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This jewelry box, can be used as a vide poche too. It is in ceramic, and has been done in France in the 1950's, by a French artist named François Lambo. It is in a very good condition.
Ceramic
Sand Marble Square Tissue Box
Located in Prague, Czech Republic.
Crafted entirely by hand, this marble tissue box cover is a fusion of form and function, seamlessly blending into any space while adding sophistication and elegance. Clean, minimalis...
Marble
$688
H 2.17 in W 7.17 in D 4.53 in
Moorish Inlaid Marquetry Mosaic Jewelry Box with Geometric and Floral Patterns
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This is a Moorish-style jewelry box adorned with inlaid marquetry work, featuring a mosaic of geometric and floral patterns. The design is highly detailed, with small pieces of wood ...
Wood, Fruitwood
Italian Ceramic Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Italian ceramic box with blue and green coloring. Marked Italy on underside. Great stash box and tabletop object.
Ceramic
$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
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
Large wooden box, France, 1970
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Large wooden box, France, 1970s, crafted from burl veneer with particularly rich and decorative patterns. Its surface displays a magnificent, intricate grain with amber and gold hues...
Wood
Mid Century Italian Ceramic Box
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Mid century Italian ceramic box Crab design on its lid Circa 1950 Origin Italy Mid-Century Color Green and red no visible signature.
Ceramic
Abalone shell vanity box, Alpaca & wood, Mexico, circa 1970
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Superb jewelry box designed and produced in Mexico during the 1970's. This artisanal set with abalone mother-of-pearl and alpaca, is a true work of art. A beautiful item to display i...
Shell, Abalone, Alpaca, Wood
Pink Marble Square Tissue Box
Located in Prague, Czech Republic.
Crafted entirely by hand, this marble tissue box cover is a fusion of form and function, seamlessly blending into any space while adding sophistication and elegance. Clean, minimalis...
Marble
Italian Brass Desk Box with Wood Inlay, Handcrafted, Circa 1970s
Located in Florence, Tuscany
A wonderful 1970s Italian hand - made brass desk box with a wooden inlay. This wonderful box sits beautifully alongside other boxes in our collection of Italian desk accessories. Sig...
Brass
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
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
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 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
" Tresor" chest or box, Mithé Espelt circa 1953.
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
" Tresor" chest. Rare rectangular box with glazed ceramic domed lid. Set of blue and gold points, framed with crackled gold . The box in black painted wood. Original felt lining a...
Ceramic, Felt, 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
Mithé Espelt Ceramic Box with Bird Decor
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Rectangular wood box topped with a ceramic lid glazed in different red and pink hues with green accent with a bird with flower decor, made by Mithé Espelt. Marie Thérèse Espelt, aka...
Ceramic, Wood