Vintage MCM Heavy Etched Orchid Glass Trinket Box Hinged Tapered Undivided Large For Sale

Beautiful and unusually heavy vintage etched glass trinket / dresser box, believed to date to approximately the 1970s. This is a distinctive example with a finely executed frosted floral design, thick beveled glass lid, metal hinge, and an especially substantial glass body.

One of the most notable features of this box is its single, completely undivided interior. Many comparable vintage etched glass dresser and trinket boxes found on the market have a center divider creating two compartments. This example has one continuous open compartment, making it a less commonly encountered variation.

The shape of the glass body is also particularly distinctive. Rather than having nearly straight vertical sides like many similar boxes, the side walls of this example have a pronounced inward slope / sharply tapered profile, narrowing substantially toward the base. Viewed from the side, the body has an elegant trapezoidal appearance that gives the box a noticeably different profile from the more common straight-sided versions.

The floral decoration is another standout feature. The flower and foliage have been executed with a very fine and delicate sandblasted / etched treatment. The petals have soft, flowing, gently scalloped edges rather than a coarse or strongly geometric appearance, and the subtle variation in the frosted surface creates attractive depth and detail. The long leaves and curved stems are also rendered with unusually graceful, fine lines.

The design, construction, period and floral sandblasting are similar to examples that have been attributed to or marketed as Dorothy Thorpe glass. Dorothy Thorpe is particularly associated with mid-century decorative glass featuring sandblasted floral motifs. However, no Dorothy Thorpe signature, logo, label or other maker’s mark has been found on this particular box, so the maker cannot be confirmed. It is therefore being offered as an unbranded vintage art-glass piece with Dorothy Thorpe-style characteristics, rather than as a definitively signed Dorothy Thorpe example.

Approximate Dimensions:

8” long × 5.25” wide × 2” high

Actual Weight:

2 lb 10.2 oz

Approximately 1.2 kg / 1,196 g

CONDITION

Very good vintage condition overall, with normal signs of age and previous use.

There is one small chip located on the underside of one corner. Importantly, the chip is underneath the edge rather than on the visible upper surface, so it is not readily noticeable when the box is viewed from above or displayed normally. Please see the close-up photograph for the exact location and condition.

There are also several very fine, light surface scratches in a few areas of the glass. These are subtle and are generally most visible under strong light or close inspection. Close-up photographs have been included to show these honestly and accurately.

The metal hinge area shows light age-related surface wear/patina consistent with a vintage piece. The lid remains attached and functional.

Despite the minor underside chip and light surface wear, the box displays beautifully, and the damage does not detract significantly from its overall appearance.

Comparable vintage etched glass boxes—particularly examples attributed to Dorothy Thorpe—are often offered at considerably higher asking prices. This example has been priced more conservatively specifically because of the small underside corner chip and the light surface scratches described above.

A substantial and attractive vintage art-glass box with a heavy 2 lb 10.2 oz construction, uncommon undivided interior, sharply tapered sides, thick beveled lid, and exceptionally delicate sandblasted floral decoration. An excellent decorative piece for a vanity, dresser, jewelry collection, or Mid-Century Modern glass display.