Who is Dorothy Thorpe?

My love of lucite is no secret. It goes hand in hand with my affinity for designers who use it as a design element, ultimately they are designing in the "there and not there" of the material.

I found these groovy lucite knots at a recent estate sale. I first thought about making them into stations on a necklace, but decided to do some research first. I was pretty sure they were napkin rings and I had a vague memory of a 1930's designer who worked in home accessories in lucite. It turned out the name that kept popping up was Dorothy Thorpe- be it sites about her, her work, or her works faked. I have no idea if these are her actual work. I do know the are in her style.

Dorothy Thorpe was raised and educated in Utah  in the early part of the 20th century. She moved to California in her late 20's. It was there that she designed her tableware, barware and all around delicious things to serve delicious things from and on!

{please click on any of the grey links for more info!}

Hallmarks of her works include:

Botanical etched crystal

Etched Vase from Etsy

I am WILD about this combo of lady-like etching and Mid Century pretzel handle on this teapot from Ebay

Silver banded and smoke-fade glasses

Silver fade tumblers from Etsy

Silver fade martini pitcher from Etsy

Silver band punch bowl with cups from Etsy

Lucite knot or pretzel candlesticks tableware

THE pretzel knot napkin rings! Can't you see them as necklace parts?

Lucite spiral style

Lucite spiral umbrella stand from Etsy

These candle holders recently sold in my Etsy shop... but I love them so I had to add!

Dorothy Thorpe's work us often marked with her initials or a label. However, since most people remove labels after they purchase an item, the labels are often gone on those pieces. When in doubt, do your research on the piece and purchase with that knowledge. If it seems legit, then pay appropriately. If it seems dodgy and you have "that feeling" that something's no quite right, buy low or walk away.