Dorothy Thorpe Glass
Dorothy Thorpe was independent artist and interior designer with a glass decorating studio in Los Angeles from the 1930′s into the 1960′s. She purchased glass from various companies, including Fostoria, Heisey and Cambridge glass, decorated with hand-painted enamels, sand-blasting, etching or gold and/or silver overlay. She also designed glassware and ceramics.
Most Dorothy Thorpe pieces are signed with a trademark of a large printed T in the center with a smaller stylized D on one side, and the same image in reverse on the other side, often etched on the piece, near the design. She also used a similar circular paper label with this design and inscribed “Dorothy C. Thorpe Inc. California” around the perimeter.
Thorpe’s work brought her fame and her glassware was much sought after. She often collaborated with other leading designers of the period, most notably with Charles and Ray Eames.
p4a editorial staff, May 2005.