Mithé Espelt

Mithé Espelt, born Marie-Thérèse Espelt in 1923 in Lunel, Camargue, is a French ceramist whose work, long overlooked, has recently been rediscovered and praised for its beauty and originality.

Born into a family of winegrowers, she grew up in an artistic environment thanks to her grandfather, Edmond Baissat, a sculptor and friend of literary figures such as Frédéric Mistral and Jean Hugo. At the age of 16, she entered the Montpellier School of Fine Arts, where she studied drawing and sculpture. She continued her training at the Fontcarrade school, specializing in ceramics under the guidance of Émilie Decanis.

After the Second World War, Mithé Espelt moved to Paris and worked in Nathalie Pol's ceramic button workshop in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district. She returned to Lunel in 1946 to open her own workshop, where she created ceramic jewelry, boxes and mirrors, which she sold in local galleries and later in Martinique.

Keen to preserve her anonymity and concentrate on the essence of her art, Mithé chose not to sign her works. It was only at the end of her life that her true identity as an artist came to light, thanks to the research of collector Antoine Candau.

Today, Mithé Espelt's work is renowned for its elegance and refinement. Pieces such as her ornate mirrors, decorative boxes and glazed and gilded ceramic jewelry are sought after by collectors and exhibited in recognized specialist galleries.

Rediscovering his work offers a unique perspective on mid-20ᵉ century French craftsmanship, and highlights the importance of individuality and creativity in the design of everyday objects.