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 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
Ceramic Mosaic-Style Mirror in Gold and Turquoise by Mithé Espelt, c. 1970
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Mid-century modern ceramic mirror designed by the French ceramist Mithé Espelt, dating from the 1970s. This piece showcases a geometric design reminiscent of a modernist mosaic. Th...
Ceramic, Mirror
French Vintage Mirror in gilt metal and Talosel - France, 1979
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
French Vintage Mirror Mirror in gilt metal and Talosel. France, 1979 Diameter : 50 cm
Metal
Fontana Arte Round Mirror Model '1669' by Max Ingrand, 1960s Italy
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Fontana Arte Round mirror model '1669' by Max Ingrand Beveled glass in a brass frame at the center, with an orange concave glass frame Italy, 1960s Diameter: 62 cm Depth: 2 cm
Brass
Lucca Neoclassical Trumeau Carved Mirror, Early 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Cornice carved with maple leaves repeated line framing the mirror and the bottom. Italy.
Mirror, Wood
French Regence Period Mirror, 18th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
French Regence Period mirror. Carved giltwood decorated with leaves volutes masks and topped by a bust. Use restorations.
Mirror, Giltwood
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
Round gilt and glazed ceramic mirror by Mithé Espelt, circa 1970
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Ceramic framed round mirror. Embossed and glazed earthenware: Gilt frame with crackled finish, partly covered with bird, grapes and leaves decoration glazed in shades of pink, w...
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
Ceramic Wall Mirror with Multi Color Foliage Floral Scalloped Frame, Spain 1960
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching Mid-Century Modern Majolica Glazed Ceramic Tiles Framed Mirror. Manufactured in Spain, 1960s. Scalloped flower shape and colorful frame. This handcrafted wall mirror is made of glazed ceramic tiles with handpainted multi-color floral and foliage decorations thorough on a white background. Inspired by andalusian traditional tiles. It has all the taste of the South of Spain, clearly influenced by the colorful arabic designs. This stunning wall mirror will be a colorbul addition to any beach house, country side house or urban appartment. A pinch of spanish taste wherever you want! Overall measures: 60 cm H x 49 cm W x 2,8 cm D Glass measures: 44 cm H x 33,5 cm W We are specialists in mirrors and sunburst mirrors. A curated selection is avaliable at our 1stdibs marketplace. We invite you to check "more from this seller" and "all from this seller" to enjoy the whole collection. Scalloped Round Mirror...
Ceramic, Majolica, Mirror
Ceramic mirror by Mithé Espelt, France, 1960's
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic mirror by Mithé Espelt, Mérida decor, France, 1970's
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
