French Heart Motif Ceramic Hand Mirror by Mithé Espelt, 1960s
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.
DIMENSIONS: 9.75"W x 6"D x 0.5"H
ORIGIN: France
PERIOD: 1960s
MATERIALS: Ceramic,Mirror
CONDITION:
To view items in our showroom, visit us Monday - Friday 10-6pm and Saturday 11-5pm. No appointment is needed. See more information on our Showroom location and hours here. Virtual viewings available.
Our Warehouse is located 10 minutes south of our showroom. To view this item, please schedule an appointment with us here. Virtual viewings available.
White Glove Delivery
Our White Glove service includes delivery inside the home (including one flight of stairs). Once the shippers are in your region, they will contact you beforehand to provide the delivery day and time window. Standard lead time is 3-5 weeks.
Ensure a clear path and be available to sign for the delivery. The team cannot move existing furniture. Rural deliveries may experience longer wait times due to limited routing. Alert us if there are additional stairs, COI requirements or other unique circumstances.
Domestic Shipping
In-stock inventory ships via UPS, USPS, or FedEx within 5-10 business days (excluding holidays). Rates are calculated based on the full order value, size and region.
International Shipping
International orders require a custom quote. Shipping costs are not included in the purchase price and will not populate at checkout. Please contact us directly for pricing.
View our shipping policies here.
Local Delivery: If your delivery address is within a 20 mile radius of Chicago, 60642, Local Delivery charges will apply at checkout.
Local Pickup: Please contact us to schedule an appointment for your pickup, so our team can have your purchase ready.
