Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
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.
1960s French Vintage Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Wood
1960s French Vintage Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1960s French French Provincial Vintage Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Enamel, Gold Leaf
1970s French French Provincial Vintage Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Enamel, Gold Leaf
1960s French French Provincial Vintage Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Enamel
1960s French French Provincial Vintage Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Enamel
1960s French Vintage Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Earthenware, Wood
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Enamel
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Wood
1960s French Vintage Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Wood, Glass, Ceramic
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Earthenware
Late 20th Century French Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Ceramic
2010s Unknown Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Malachite
Early 20th Century Indian Kashan Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Paper
Late 20th Century Modern Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Malachite, Onyx
1980s Turkish Art Deco Vintage Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Driftwood, Boxwood, Papercord
1960s French Baroque Vintage Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Paint
1960s Polish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Aluminum
Early 20th Century Japanese Art Deco Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood, Lacquer
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Enamel
1960s French Vintage Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Ceramic
2010s Unknown Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Malachite
Mid-20th Century Chinese Art Deco Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Soapstone
1660s French Antique Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1960s French Vintage Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Glass, Wood
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Glass, Ceramic
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Earthenware, Glass
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century French Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mithé Espelt Decorative Objects
Ceramic