Dorothy Thorpe

Born 1901 in Salt Lake City, Utah; died 1989. Began working during the Depression: there is an anecdote that Thorpe created a glass tumbler from a wine bottle, cutting off the neck and decorating with with raffia. Her brother, who worked at MGM Studios in Hollywood at the time, brought it to the studio where Clark Gable saw it, ordered a set of 6, and launched her career. She is best known for her works in glass and often incorporated lucite, silver, and frosting techniques.


Works associated with this person or group


  • Tumbler, ca. 1950

    Sand-blasted checker board pattern; Manufacturer’s logo on bottom