Dorothy Thorpe glassware was a chic staple of every mid-century modern wet bar, particularly her festive Roly Poly silver-banded tumblers. Although not as widely known as such contemporaries as Eva Zeisel and Edith Heath, Thorpe was one of a group of creative and entrepreneurial women whose designs captured the imagination of the postwar homeowner with her modern and cheery works.
Thorpe was born in Salt Lake City in 1901 and settled in Los Angeles as a young woman. She began creating her signature glassware using the trade name Dorothy Thorpe Originals in the 1930s. Thorpe was a designer, not a glassblower. To create her shimmering wares, she purchased glass blanks from a variety of manufacturers and subjected them to various techniques, including sandblasting, etching and silver overlay.
Initially Art Deco in style, the pieces were signed with a large T and smaller D. Thorpe also worked in ceramics and, in the 1940s, with Lucite, producing a line of household items, such as magazine racks, sculptural lamps, candlesticks and umbrella stands.
After World War II, Thorpe was inspired by a new interest in the flowers and animals of the South Pacific and began incorporating tropical floral motifs into her work. She traveled to Hawaii and studied local irises, roses, azaleas, narcissus and eucalyptus. The decorative patterns based on these studies were created primarily by sandblasting, which makes a glass surface appear frosted.
From the 1930s through the ’50s, Thorpe’s designs won her many fans among the members of café society, including Princess Grace of Monaco and the Shah of Iran. They were also widely imitated. Vintage tumblers that bear a silver stripe around the rim but lack the “DT” signature on the bottom are not Thorpe originals.
In the 1950s, Thorpe created the glassware line Atomic Splash, which featured the energetic geometric patterns that were so popular at the time. Atomic Splash patterned drinking glasses and serving dishes bore a silver overlay that evoked an explosion.
Thorpe also designed a line of ceramic tableware decorated with a wreath of spring flowers in collaboration with Crown Lynn Pottery, in New Zealand, and, in the mid-’60s, created coffee sets for the Santa Barbara and Monterey companies. Among her own ceramics products were lines glazed in the eye-catching shades of Orange Persimmon and Blue Periwinkle.
Find vintage Dorothy Thorpe glasses and tableware for sale on 1stDibs.
$220Sale Price|20% Off
Mid-Century Glass and Gold Overlay "Angel" Platter by Dorothy Thorpe
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid-century glass with 18KT gold overlay "Angel" platter by Dorothy Thorpe, circa 1960s. The piece measures 13"D x .5"H and is super hard to find piece. Original foil tag is attached...
Glass
1960s Cast Resin Flower Shape Bowl / Centerpiece by Dorothy Thorpe
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in Buffalo, NY
1960s cast resin flower shape bowl / centerpiece by Dorothy Thorpe, retains original label.
Resin
Large Lalique Crystal Bowl Centerpiece
By René Lalique
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautifully hand crafted Lalique centerpiece decorative bowl in a wide open "V" form shape. The bowl is embellished by engraved frosted doves and large scrolls design details. Maker'...
Crystal
$836
H 3.94 in W 11.03 in D 4.73 in
Dorothy Thorpe Midcentury Crystal Lucite American Knot Paperweight Sculpture
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in Roma, IT
Midcentury crystal Lucite American knot paperweight sculpture. This wonderful piece was designed by Dorothy Thorpe in America during the 1960s. An amazing item with a unique knot ...
Lucite
XL Footed Resin Bowl Centerpiece in White and Pearl by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
An elegant XL round bowl that is supported by four half spheres that make a fun, bold and unique piece great for holding fruit, plants and specially everyone's attention. You can hav...
Resin
$200 / set
H 4.25 in W 7.5 in D 2.75 in
Mid-Century Modern Amber Resin Bird Sculpture by Dorothy Thorpe 1970s
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
This is an Amber resin bird sculpture, specifically doves, by Dorothy Thorpe made circa the 1970s. The sculpture is perfectly translucent which makes the birds glow in the light!
Resin
XL Footed Resin Bowl Centerpiece in Yellow by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
An elegant XL round bowl that is supported by four half spheres that make a fun, bold and unique piece great for holding fruit, plants and specially everyone's attention. You can hav...
Resin
Ribera Handmade Large Centerpiece Bowl - Stoneware
By OWO Ceramics
Located in Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, AR
Beautiful large centerpiece bowl crafted from stoneware clay. Inspired by the vibrant marine life of the reef and the soft motion of ocean waves, this extra large fruit bowl showcases a distinctive blend of artistry and nature, capturing the tranquil beauty of the sea. Each centerpiece bowl is wheel-thrown and hand-glazed in our studio, featuring a soft, white matte finish that beautifully enhances the organic textures of the clay. The glaze has been specially formulated for this collection, reflecting the dedication and craftsmanship that goes into each piece. Ideal for keeping your weekly fruits out on the counter or as a striking standalone accent, this white centerpiece bowl...
Ceramic, Clay, Pottery, Stoneware
$1,245
H 15 in W 9 in D 9 in
Dorothy Thorpe Mid-Century Modern Lucite Citrine Gautama Lotus Buddha Sculpture
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful, quite engaging citrine green Lucite seated lotus Siddhartha Gautama Buddha sculpture on attached custom black wood stand by Mid-Century Modern American designer Dorothy ...
Lucite
$776Sale Price|20% Off
H 2.17 in Dm 14.57 in
Mid-Century French Decorative Platter by Albert Thiry (circa 1970s)
By Albert Thiry
Located in London, GB
Mid-century decorative platter (circa 1960s) by Albert Thiry. A large sunflower springs to mind looking at the platter. Both visually stunning and tactile at the same time, the deepl...
Ceramic
$748Sale Price|40% Off
H 2.37 in Dm 12.6 in
Mid-Century Decorative Platter by Albert Thiry 'circa 1960s'
By Albert Thiry
Located in London, GB
Mid-century decorative platter (circa 1960s) by Albert Thiry. A milky-white glaze graces both the exterior and the hollow centre. The interior has small tracts of green and earthy cl...
Ceramic
Vintage Dorothy Thorpe Lucite Candlesticks, a Pair
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a modern pair of candlesticks by Dorothy Thorpe, circa the 1970s. These eye-catching sculptural candlesticks are crafted from beautiful Lucite and twisted for a structural display piece that is sure to make a statement. A stainless-steel finish collar at the end draws the eye, with or without candlelight. They hold standard size taper candles. A beautiful example of Thorpe’s work, this set of taper holders turns a dining table, mantel, or console table into a perfectly appointed display. Stainless steel is clean and polished, a few inclusions on both pieces consistent with age and wear of Lucite; overall, in good vintage condition and ready to be used for years to come. Please see all attached pictures. Single Candelabra: 7.75” W x 6.75” D x 6.75” H Double Candelabra...
Stainless Steel
$1,613
H 1.97 in Dm 14.57 in
Large Handmade Hammered Silver Centerpiece Bowl by Renzo Cassetti, Italy 1970s
By Renzo Cassetti
Located in Roma, IT
Fantastic large round shell shaped centerpiece completely handmade in hammered silver plate. This beautiful piece was designed by Renzo Cassetti in Italy in the 1970s and is signed i...
Silver Plate
$1,434Sale Price|60% Off
H 4.34 in W 11.42 in D 8.67 in
Flavio Poli Large Bowl Centerpiece Murano Glass for Seguso, 1960
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Paris, IDF
Beautiful Flavio Poli bowl centerpiece for Seguso Vetri D'Arte made in the 1960s from the Sommerso collection. This large bowl has eye-catching sunset colors, with pink glass submerg...
Glass
Resin Multi Color Dorothy Throrpe Floral Bowl
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Dorothy Thorpe resin bowl in the shape of floral petals. The colors are magnificent and very stunning the bowl could be used to serve chips or n...
Resin
Dorothy Thorpe Frosted Lucite Resin Fruit Bowl Mid Century
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
Lovely frosted resin cabbage bowl by Dorothy Thorpe. Signed under the object. Beautiful decorative object. Good condition.
Lucite
Midcentury Glass Cake Stand by Dorothy Thorpe
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in San Diego, CA
Midcentury glass and silver band cake stand by Dorothy Thorpe, circa 1950s. The piece measures 12.75" D x 4.5" H and is super hard to find piece. Original foil tag is attached to the...
Glass
Large Midcentury Atomic Starburst Tray by Dorothy Thorpe
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in San Diego, CA
Large midcentury atomic starburst tray by Dorothy Thorpe, circa 1950s. The ruffled glass tray has a gold starburst overlay and is undulated (could be ...
Glass
Pair of Mid-Century Sterling Silver-Banded Bowls by Dorothy Thorpe
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Mid-Century sterling silver overlay-banded bowls by Dorothy Thorpe. Each bowl features a 1-inch band of silver overlay along the outer perimeter of each bowl. This iconic d...
Sterling Silver