The Montpellier auctioneer will present 15 pieces during a sale on November 23.
Where do the works that you are presenting during this exceptional sale come from?
For this sale, ten works come from a collector who wishes to disperse them, a mirror comes from an estate, and jewelry was found on a property in Petite Camargue, in a box which contained costume jewelry.
In total, we present 10 mirrors, three ring sizes and two necklaces.
How do you explain this enthusiasm for this artist?
We owe a lot to the Art collector Antoine Candau who rediscovered it, highlighted it with exhibitions in 2020 and who wrote a book in collaboration with the artist shortly before his death. People have since become more attentive, whereas before they didn't necessarily pay attention to it. In the region, Mithé Espelt who was from Lunel, sold his mirrors, ring sizers, boxes in several shops in the region including Art and decoration, rue Foch, a store which has now disappeared. So there are quite a few pieces in the surrounding area.
How can we know if it is a work by Mithé Espelt when she did not sign them?
These are small objects, always with ceramics and gold. We also look to see if the bronze is cracked. Felt is placed on the back of the pieces in general. Antoine Candau's book also allows us to look for the model if we have any doubts.
What are the prices today of these works sold at the time, by the artist's wishes, quite cheaply?
You have to count on prices between 500 and 1500 euros for a mirror. But prices can reach 4000 euros. The most expensive work – a mirror – sold for more than 50,000 euros last year.
During this sale you are presenting other exceptional objects…
Yes ! We have a painting by Zao Wou-Ki estimated at between 150,000 and 250,000 euros, two paintings by Odilon Redon, an Iznik dish from the 16th century, very beautiful works from the Dutch school…
