French Heart Motif Ceramic Hand Mirror by Mithé Espelt, 1960s

Details

Description

A French ceramic hand mirror by Mithé Espelt from the 1960s, defined by hand-applied heart motifs in soft pink and … Read more A French ceramic hand mirror by Mithé Espelt from the 1960s, defined by hand-applied heart motifs in soft pink and deep violet tones with delicate gilt detailing throughout.

The elongated handle gives the piece a more sculptural silhouette, reading almost more like an object than a traditional mirror. Like much of Espelt’s work, the mirror carries a sense of playfulness while still feeling refined. Suspended on a wall, it reads almost like jewelry for the room.

Small in scale but visually striking, it introduces color, reflection, and a more personal decorative note within an interior.

Marie-Thérèse Espelt (1923–2020), known as Mithé Espelt, was a defining figure in mid-20th-century French ceramics. Working largely in anonymity, she produced a wide range of gilded and enameled objects—mirrors, boxes, jewelry, and decorative wares—often featuring birds and vibrant, joyful motifs. Raised in the Camargue and trained at the Beaux-Arts in Montpellier, she was influenced early on by a creative circle that included Frédéric Mistral and Jean Hugo.

Her work gained early recognition through figures like Émilie Decanis and Charles Démery, leading to wider distribution through the Souleiado boutique. Though long overlooked or misattributed, her legacy has since been brought into focus—most notably through Antoine Candau’s retrospective study of her life and work.

Condition: Very good vintage condition, with a few faint scuffs throughout. Hanging hardware present. See less