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.
$1,920Sale Price|20% Off
H 2.75 in W 5.75 in D 5.75 in
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
Mid-Century Ceramic Jewelry Box by Perignem - Belgium 1950s
By Perignem
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Mid-Century Ceramic Jewelry Box by Perignem - Belgium 1950s The Perignem ceramic workshop in Beernem, Belgium was the foundation of modern Flemish ceramics which flourished in the 19...
Ceramic
Odette Dijeux Mid-Century Signed Ceramic Box, circa 1950, Belgium
By Odette Dijeux
Located in Brussels, BE
Nice Odette Dijeux mid-century decorative box, circa 1950, Belgium. White and brown enameled ceramic. Signed underneath Odette Dijeux . Each piece of this artist is unique and po...
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
Glazed stoneware box by Jean-Pierre Viot, 1968. Unique piece.
By Jean-Pierre Viot
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Glazed stoneware box by Jean-Pierre Viot. Artist signature under the base. 1968. H : 3.7 x 13.4 x 9.8 inches. - “Discreet, friendly, attentive, Jean-Pierre Viot is a central figur...
Ceramic
Mid-century Italian Ceramic Box by Raymor c.1960
By Raymor
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A mid-century ceramic glazed jewelry or trinket box. Marked "Italy" underneath. CREATOR Attributed to Raymor, Italy. DATE OF MANUFACTURE 1960. MATERIALS AND TECHN...
Ceramic
Ceramic Box, 1960s Italy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Glaze ceramic box made in Italy, circa 1970s. Slime green glaze along the top with an orange ring around the edge of the lid. Base is painted a matte brown. Green glaze covers the in...
Ceramic
$928
H 2.37 in W 3.55 in D 3.55 in
brown ceramic decorative or jewelry box circa 1970 La Borne Barbara Delfosse
By Barbara Delfosse
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Attributed to Barbara Delfosse - La Borne 20th cerntury design stoneware ceramic box Jewelry or decorative box Realised circa 1970 Original perfect condition Height 6 cm Large...
Ceramic
$556Sale Price|20% Off
H 5 in Dm 4.5 in
Mid-Century Hand-Crafted Ceramic Jewelry Box by Lucien Brisdoux
By Lucien Brisdoux
Located in Miami, FL
A very nice quality mid-century French ceramic jewelry box or decorative lidded box. This hand-crafted, hand-painted mid-century French box would look great on a small side table o...
Ceramic
John Glick ceramic /stoneware box / jewelry / table box , signed
By John Glick
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful box / jewelry / table desk box. made for the well known artist / potter , John Glick , for Plum Tree Potters .
Stoneware
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 Vide Poche by Mithé Espelt, France, 1960s
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic vide poche by Mithé Espelt, France, 1960s Date of creation: around 1955-1960 Bibliography: " Mithé Espelt, le luxe discret du quotidien ", Antoine Candau, Ed. Odyssée, 2020.
Ceramic
Ceramic decorative Vide-Poche by Cloutier, France, Circa 1960's
By Cloutier Freres
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic decorative Vide-Poche by Cloutier, France, Circa 1960's
Ceramic
Ceramic decorative Vide-Poche by Les 2 Potiers, France, Circa 1960's
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic decorative Vide-Poche by Les 2 potiers, France, Circa 1960's
Ceramic
Ceramic decorative Vide-Poche by Cloutier, France, Circa 1960's
By Cloutier Freres
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic decorative Vide-Poche by Cloutier, France, Circa 1960's
Ceramic
Ceramic decorative Vide-Poche by Denise Gatard, France, Circa 1960's
By Denise Gatard
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic decorative Vide-Poche by Denise Gatard, France, Circa 1960's
Ceramic
