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.
H 9.5 in Dm 11.5 in
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
H 3.5 in Dm 2.5 in
Dorothy Thorpe Style Mid-Century Silver Fade Barware Shot Glasses
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
1960s Dorothy Thorpe style midcentury barware set of 6 shot glasses. Elegant exquisite vintage 1950s Designer Dorothy Thorpe pure silver overlay band barware glasses. This set Dorothy Thorpe midcentury cocktail glasses barware has the pure silver faded band around top edge of each piece. Set includes 6 shot glasses. 1960s Mid-Century Modern cocktail barware set. Silver fade. Measurements: Hot glasses height 3.5 inches, diameter 2.5 inches. The glasses looks like it was used very little and stored well. This vintage 1950s midcentury glassware or barware set will create a dramatic display for a back bar or table setting. These are from the 1950s and must be hand washed. They are not dishwasher safe. Dorothy Thorpe glassware was a chic staple of every Mid-Century Modern wet bar...
Glass
H 2 in W 2 in D 2 in
Dorothy Thorpe Mid-Century Modern Beverage Set, 1960s Sterling Silver
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in New York, NY
Dorothy Thorpe beverage set consisting of 6 sterling striped glasses and a large pitcher.
Sterling Silver
H 5.5 in Dm 2.75 in
MCM Silver Fade Highball Cocktail Glasses Style of Dorothy Thorpe Set of 6
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in Topeka, KS
Stunning Mid-Century Modern silver fade highball sized cocktail glasses in the style of Dorothy Thorpe, set of 6. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, Mid-20th Century. We have a half dozen reasons to catch your attention!! Just LOOK at this lovely set of six tumblers, highballs, or cocktail silver rimmed glasses in the style of the iconic Dorothy Thorpe!! Having a mid-morning brunch or evening cocktail party? What a sophisticated set of glassware...
Glass
H 10.25 in Dm 3.75 in
Set of Dorothy Thorpe Glassware With Pitcher and Glass
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in Toronto, ON
A set of Thorothy Thorpe 1960s midcentury modern Glassware. The set includes one large Pitcher and four glasses. The four glasses are two large glass ...
Glass
Glamorous Dorothy Thorpe 10 Piece set Gold Fleck Wine Glasses - Stemware Barware
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in St. Louis, MO
Glamourous Hollywood Regency 10 piece barware wine glassware set with gold fleck by Dorothy Thorpe. The ten wine glasses are in fine vintage condition, no chips. Some have more gold...
Glass
H 6.25 in Dm 2.75 in
Set of 7 Barware HighBall Tumbler Glass w/ Silver Rim by Dorothy Thorpe
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This exquisite set of seven Tom Collins silver barware cups by Dorothy Thorpe epitomizes elegance in Mid-century modern. Each cup features a sleek, streamlined design crafted from hi...
Glass
MCM Silver Fade Ombre French Carafe Decanter & 8 Stems Style Dorothy Thorpe
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in Topeka, KS
Stunning vintage mid-century modern beverage serving set of eight silver fade ombre French stem glasses and one carafe or decanter in the style of Dorothy Thorpe but unsigned. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear even if it has been refinished or restored. Specifically, one glass has a tiny chigger chip in the rim & a blemish in the silver fade, one has a small chip in the foot, & one other has a blemish in the silver. Please see photos, zoom in for details, and see long description as they are part of the condition report. Disclaimer: photos make the chips look much larger than they are. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, Mid-20th Century. Isn’t this vintage serving set MAGNIFIQUE!!! We certainly think so!!! This is a gorgeous vintage beverage serving set including a fabulous decanter or carafe and eight stem glasses in the style of Dorthy Thorpe we have to offer to you!! The glasses have “France” stamped on the bottom and “oooh la la” are they beautiful!! They are in the style of the famed Dorothy Thorpe silver fade design but are not signed by her. Impress your guests when you serve a tasty beverage of your choice in this lovely silver ombre decanter or carafe and pour into these fabulous stem glasses. Having the girls over for brunch? How fun will it be to serve fresh squeezed orange juice or delicious mimosas in these stunning silver stems. Or maybe you’re having a dinner party, and you want an extravagant way to serve your guests the wine, liqueur, aperitif, or whatever notable cocktail you prefer? Look no further. This silver rimmed glass...
Glass
Set of Allegro Glass Pitcher & 4 Glasses by Dorothy Thorpe Mid Century
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and rare glass pitcher and 4 glasses by Dorothy Thorpe part of the Allegro line , the silver ring shows wear due to age and patina .
Silver Leaf
H 6.29 in Dm 2.36 in
Set of Six Vintage Crystal Glasses, Made in Italy, 1960s Barware
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Astonishing set of six crystal glasses. Made in Italy. The Items are in excellent condition. Diameter 2,36" x 6,29" inches. Diameter cm 6 x ...
Crystal
