Mithé Espelt jewelry box

Rectangular wooden box topped with a ceramic lid by Mithé Espelt. The ceramic features a cream glaze background and fused pink glass flower motifs with a crackled gold lining. Bibliography: Mithé Espelt, the discreet luxury of everyday life Marie Thérèse Espelt, alias Mithé Espelt (1923-2020) Born in the town of Lunel, near Montpellier, Mithé Espelt began her career in 1943 creating ceramic buttons for haute couture collections at the studio of Nathalie Pol and Lydia Chartier in Paris. In 1946, she decided to return to her hometown and set up her ceramics studio in an annex building next to the Hôtel de Bernis, which she had inherited from her grandfather. She married lawyer Maurice Figère, who decided to put his career aside and follow her artistic work. Choosing an artistic life allowed them to travel and draw inspiration from other cultures, which is palpable in her works. She made everyday objects such as jewelry boxes, necklaces, mirrors, and other home accessories, and never signed them, as she wanted them to remain accessible to all audiences. Today, Mithé's work is recognizable by the quality of her craftsmanship. Her pieces are often made with crackled gold enamels and colored glass inlays, which was a technical challenge requiring several turns in the kelns and hours at the workstations. Mithé Espelt worked until the year 2000. Her workshop continues to exist but is now run by her daughter, Marion de Crécy. Fowers White and Pink Ceramic Box by Mithé Espelt Dimensions Height: 2.76 inches (7 cm) Width: 10.63 inches (27 cm) Depth: 3.94 inches (10 cm).