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.
$5,347
H 9.85 in W 8.27 in D 0.4 in
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
Mithé Espelt Bird and Blossom Mirror in Glazed Ceramic
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Charming and highly decorative ceramic mirror by Mithé Espelt, created in her renowned Lunel workshop in the South of France during the 1960s. The square frame is richly adorned with...
Ceramic
Paradisiers mirror by Mithé Espelt, ceramic, France, 1970
By Mithé Espelt
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Birds of paradise mirror by mithé espelt. Decorated with two pink and purple birds surrounded by golden leaves and pink flowers on a sable background. Glazed embossed earthenware in ...
Ceramic
$6,238
H 0.79 in Dm 14.57 in
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 - "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", ceramic
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...
Ceramic, Glass
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
$4,479
H 11.42 in W 7.09 in D 0.79 in
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
$5,304
H 10.83 in W 8.86 in D 0.79 in
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
Ceramic mirror by Mithé Espelt, France, 1960's
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic mirror by Mithé Espelt, France, 1970's
Ceramic
Vintage Ceramic Wall Mirror by Mithé Espelt (circa 1970s)
By Mithé Espelt
Located in London, GB
Ceramic wall mirror with birds and flowers (circa 1970s) by Mithé Espelt. A delightful decorative piece topped with two pairs of whimsical ename...
Ceramic, Mirror
Vintage French Ceramic Wall Mirror with Flower Motif by La Roue, 'circa 1960s'
By La Roue
Located in London, GB
Ceramic flower-motif wall mirror with glazed leaves attributed to La Roue, Vallauris, France (circa 1960s). A charming, decorative small mirror with rustic but colourful details surrounding the elongated, rectangular mirror. A hanging cord runs through two openings in the top of the ceramic. In good overall condition showing oodles of character and Provencal charm. Unsigned but clearly attributed to La Roue studio. A video will be provided upon request. About the Artists: La Roue opened in 1962 and was run by Alexandre and Betty Fadas. La Roue was a studio which sold ceramics...
Ceramic
Ceramic Wall Mirror with Flower Motif by La Roue 'circa 1960s'
By La Roue
Located in London, GB
Ceramic flower-motif wall mirror with glazed leaves by La Roue, Vallauris, France (circa 1960s). A charming, decorative piece with rustic but colourful details surrounding the narrow, rectangular mirror. The back side has a hanging string incorporated into the holes at the top. In good overall condition. Unsigned but clearly attributed to La Roue studio. There is a very minor chip at the top left corner. Please enjoy the many photos accompanying this listing. A video will be provided upon request. About the Artists: La Roue opened in 1962 and was run by Alexandre and Betty Fadas. La Roue was a studio which sold ceramics...
Ceramic, Mirror
Small Vintage Ceramic Wall Mirror with Flower Motif by La Roue (circa 1960s)
By La Roue
Located in London, GB
Small ceramic flower-motif wall mirror attributed to La Roue, Vallauris, France (circa 1960s). A charming, decorative mirror with rustic but colourful details surrounding the diminutive round mirror glass. In good overall condition showing characterful signs of its age such as small nicks and cracks which do not affect the overall impression of the piece. Rope hanger integrated into the design. Unsigned (these works never are) but clearly attributed to La Roue studio. These small mirrors by La Roue are often displayed on the wall as a group - this gallery often has several in its stock. Please enjoy the many photos accompanying this listing. Upon request a video will be provided. About the Artists: La Roue opened in 1962 and was run by Alexandre and Betty Fadas. La Roue was a studio which sold ceramics...
Ceramic, Mirror
Vintage French Ceramic Mirror by François Lembo (circa 1970s)
By François Lembo
Located in London, GB
French vintage ceramic wall mirror by François Lembo (circa 1970s). A whimsically decorated, small rectangular wall mirror with gold colo...
Ceramic, Mirror
Vintage French Ceramic Hand Mirror by Mithé Espelt
By Mithé Espelt
Located in London, GB
Ceramic Hand Mirror with enamel bead motif by Mithé Espelt (circa 1970s). An elegant piece of decorative art consisting of a lustrous gold border. Between the gold is dark chocolate-...
Ceramic, Mirror
