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.
Dorothy Thorpe Cocktail or Juice Pitcher with Sterling Band and Stirrer
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful pitcher for the bar - works great with Martini's or juices and is in wonderful condition. We also have the roly poly glasses and other glasses and punch bowls not listed...
Silver
7-Pc Martini Cocktail Decanter Pitcher & Glasses Set, Dorothy Thorpe, USA, 1960s
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in Deland, FL
This elegant Mid-Century Modern 7-piece cocktail set by Dorothy Thorpe captures the sophisticated glamour of 1960s American design. The set includes a tall, sleek decanter (often cal...
Glass, Paint
Sterling Water Pitcher
By Reed & Barton
Located in Brooklyn, NY
There isn’t much in the way of decoration but the shape and style of this water pitcher is fabulous. Notice the curved body juxtaposed against the straight handle. There’s a ribbing pattern along the neck that’s complimented in the lines and curl in the handle. The spout is narrow, which is helpful when pouring. There is an Old English letter L monogram...
Sterling Silver
$275Sale Price|21% Off
H 5.25 in W 6.5 in D 9.5 in
Clear Glass Modernist Margarita Martini Cocktail Pitcher
Located in Ferndale, MI
Bulbous body drinks pitcher.
Glass
Sterling Band Cocktail Set, Dorothy Thorpe
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in Los angeles, CA
Sterling Band Cocktail Set
Sterling Silver
$1,645 / set
H 5 in Dm 4.25 in
Set of 12 Mid-Century Modernist Gilt Rimmed Martini Glasses by Dorothy Thorpe
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in New York, NY
This set of 12 Mid-Century Modernist gilt-rimmed martini glasses, designed by the iconic American glassware designer Dorothy Thorpe and dating to circa 1940, is a perfect embodiment of understated elegance and timeless sophistication. Known for her innovative techniques and minimalist aesthetic, Thorpe became a celebrated name in 20th-century glass design, and these martini glasses exemplify her refined approach to modernist barware. Each glass features a sleek, tapered silhouette, expertly crafted to balance both beauty and functionality. The highlight of the design is the gilded rim, applied with Thorpe’s signature delicate precision, lending the glasses a touch of glamour and luxury without overpowering their clean, modern lines. The subtle glimmer of gold contrasts beautifully against the crystal-clear glass, making these glasses versatile enough for casual gatherings or formal occasions alike. Designed during the height of the Mid-Century Modern era, these martini glasses are not only exquisite examples of Thorpe's designs but also reflections of the stylish cocktail culture that defined the period. Perfect for entertaining or display, they serve as both functional barware and elegant collectibles. Whether as a cherished addition to a home bar, a gift for a discerning host, or a nod to mid-century cocktail history, this set of Dorothy Thorpe martini glasses...
Gold
$1,245 / set
H 5 in Dm 4.25 in
Set of 8 Mid-Century Modernist Gilt Rimmed Martini Glasses by Dorothy Thorpe
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in New York, NY
This set of 8 Mid-Century Modernist gilt-rimmed martini glasses, designed by the iconic American glassware designer Dorothy Thorpe and dating to circa 1940, is a perfect embodiment of understated elegance and timeless sophistication. Known for her innovative techniques and minimalist aesthetic, Thorpe became a celebrated name in 20th-century glass design, and these martini glasses exemplify her refined approach to modernist barware. Each glass features a sleek, tapered silhouette, expertly crafted to balance both beauty and functionality. The highlight of the design is the gilded rim, applied with Thorpe’s signature delicate precision, lending the glasses a touch of glamour and luxury without overpowering their clean, modern lines. The subtle glimmer of gold contrasts beautifully against the crystal-clear glass, making these glasses versatile enough for casual gatherings or formal occasions alike. Designed during the height of the Mid-Century Modern era, these martini glasses are not only exquisite examples of Thorpe's designs but also reflections of the stylish cocktail culture that defined the period. Perfect for entertaining or display, they serve as both functional barware and elegant collectibles. Whether as a cherished addition to a home bar, a gift for a discerning host, or a nod to mid-century cocktail history, this set of Dorothy Thorpe martini glasses...
Gold
$60Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 5.5 in W 2.75 in D 2.75 in
Rare Dorothy Thorpe Silver Rim Wine Glasses, Set of 4
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in Wilton, CT
Rare Dorothy Thorpe silver rim wine glass.
Silver
$1,265 / set
H 5.44 in Dm 4.32 in
Glamorous Dorothy Thorpe 11 Piece Gold Fleck Martini Glasses - Desert Stemware
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in St. Louis, MO
Glamourous Hollywood Regency 11 piece barware martini glassware set with gold fleck by Dorothy Thorpe. The eleven martinis are in fine vintage condi...
Glass
Large Signed Hawkes ABP Jubilee Cut Glass Water or Cocktail Pitcher
By T. G. Hawkes & Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine American Brilliant Period pitcher. In cut glass. By Hawkes. In a rare, tall pitcher form in the Jubilee pattern. With fans, diamond point hatching, stars, and russian cane...
Glass, Cut Glass
T J & J Mayers Parian Jug or Pitcher
By T.J. & J. Mayer
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
T J & J Mayers Parian jug or pitcher.
Ceramic
Rare Allegro Glass Pitcher by Dorothy Thorpe Mid Century Silver Ring
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and rare glass pitcher by Dorothy Thorpe part of the Allegro line , the silver ring shows wear due to age and patina .
Silver Leaf
Set of Six Silver Gilt Rimmed Martini Glasses by Dorothy Thorpe
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in New York, NY
This stunning set of six martini glasses, designed by the celebrated American glassware designer Dorothy Thorpe, embodies the sleek, sophisticated style of the mid-20th century. Craf...
Silver
Dorothy Thorpe Glassware Barware Punch Bowl Set Mid Century 1960s
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid Century 1960s Dorothy Thorpe Glassware Barware. Punch Bowl Set. 12 piece includes 1 large bowl with ladle and 11 glasses. Glasses are often referred to as roly poly glasses due t...
Silver
Sold
H 9.5 in W 3 in D 3.5 in
Dorothy Thorpe Mid-Century Modern Silver Overlay Glass Cocktail Pitcher Set
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This four piece cocktail pitcher and glass set was done by the well known Dorothy Thorpe of the United States in approximately 1965 in the period Mid-Century style. The set is composed of a cocktail pitcher, glass stir stick...
Silver
Dorothy Thorpe Cocktail Pitcher with Stirrer
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dorothy Thorpe cocktail pitcher with stirrer - The silver rimmed pitcher and matching silver rimmed stirrer are the perfect companion for the sophisti...
Silver
Hand Blown Glass Pitcher by Dorothy Thorpe
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in New York, NY
Sterling rim with hand blown glass
Sold
H 6.25 in Dm 3.25 in
Mid-Century Modern Hand Blown Glass Pitcher by Dorothy Thorpe with Sterling Trim
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in New York, NY
Delicately designed hand blown pitcher by Dorothy Thorpe with sterling trim detail.