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.
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
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
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
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
$2,274Sale Price|20% Off
H 2.76 in W 5.79 in D 4.06 in
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
$2,578
H 2.37 in W 3.55 in D 3.55 in
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
$2,578
H 3.94 in W 5.91 in D 2.37 in
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 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
$1,850
H 2.25 in W 3.5 in D 3.75 in
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
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
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
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
Square ceramic mirror Mithé Espelt
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Square ceramic mirror by Mithé Espelt The broad glazed ceramic frame is decorated with white and yellow daisies and foliage on a light brow background. This type of design is rare...
Ceramic
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
Gilt ceramic mirror " Oblong " Mithé Espelt 1950's.
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Rare glazed ceramic wall mirror. Embossed ceramic entirely decorated with finely crackled gold glaze. "Oblong " model created 1949. Mithé Espelt, 1923-2020. Lunel, South of Franc...
Ceramic
