DEBORAH TIMPERLEY
GLASS ARTISTDEBORAH TIMPERLEY'S INTERNATIONALLY COLLECTED GLASS SCULPTURE IS HANDMADE DEEP IN THE BRITISH COUNTRYSIDE
Selected Maker with the Crafts Council.
Museum collected.
Showing at Collect, Somerset House, London 2026.
“I have been a keen admirer of Deborah’s work for years, from her early glass bowls to her latest sculptures.
I fell in love with the colours of this sculpture. It has become the focal point of my garden room. I enjoy the play of light as the sun draws the eye to the vibrant and rich colours”
GLASS SCULPTURE MADE TO BE COLLECTED
Unique, handmade glass sculpture, made by hand in Deborah’s West Sussex studio
LANDSCAPE SCULPTURES
Boha Harbour wall under northern skies 36 x 31 x 10.5cm £2850
A glass sculpture of a harbour wall inspired by the tidal harbour at Portree on the Isle of Skye, the skies filled with threatening clouds just letting a little sunlight through.
These glass sculptures take their inspiration from the rugged beauty of dry stone walls, rocky coastlines and the quiet drama of stones placed harmoniously together. Each one is built by hand, fired over several days, and finished with optional 23.5ct gold that catches the light just as lichen does on a sun-warmed rock.
DIALOGUE AT THE THRESHOLD
Dialogue at the threshold – Surface Barrier 9 x 9 x 8cm £875
A form encloses an inner space and is the boundary to the outside. Where there is an opening this links the two. The interplay between the interior and the exterior articulates a dialogue at the threshold.
Small in scale but quietly commanding, these cast glass and gold sculptures draw you in and keep you looking. They are architectural, tactile and entirely handmade, with a presence that is hard to walk past.
AN ODE TO ALZHEIMER'S
The tree of Recollection. Faberge eggs epitomise enlightenment, a metaphor for a healthy brain. The counter sculpture represents loss as Alzheimer’s takes hold. The tree suggests a myriad of memories viewed by an owl of wisdom; adjacent the crow is devoid of life.
These glass sculptures are Deborah’s response to her mother’s Alzheimer’s, inspired by the richness of Fabergé eggs and the devastating contrast of what the disease takes away. Moving, beautifully crafted, and unlike anything else in her collection.
CAST GLASS BOWLS
Cast glass blue bowl fired with gold lustre 35cm diam £425
Decorative art glass bowl in sapphire blue cast glass. A unique art glass bowl with texture on the surface highlighted with gold lustre. The texture contrasts with the highly polished rim and base.
These handmade cast glass bowls have a deceptive simplicity about them, their richly textured surfaces hiding a surprisingly intricate making process. Each piece is unique, fired with 23.5ct gold and polished to a finish that makes the colours sing.
DEBORAH TIMPERLEY
Deborah Timperley has been creating handmade glass sculpture from her studio on the Borde Hill Estate in West Sussex for over 25 years. Working primarily in cast glass, her pieces have been exhibited across Europe and the UK, collected by the Museum of Design and Contemporary Applied Arts in Lausanne, Switzerland, and recognised with an Excellence Award at China’s Craft Glass Creation and Design Competition. She is a Selected Maker with both the Crafts Council and Design Nation, and in 2026 she returns to Collect at Somerset House, the leading international art fair for contemporary craft.
Rooted in a deep love of light, material and memory, Deborah’s work ranges from sculptural bowls and platters to large-scale glass sculptures with personal and emotional themes. Every piece is made by hand in the English countryside.
“Sunlight over harbour wall graces the windowsill in my renovated kitchen/diner, providing a delight to the eye and giving it a unique finishing touch. I absolutely love it”
SEE UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS
Glass is one of those materials that really comes alive when you can stand in front of it. If you are curious to see Deborah’s sculptures and bowls in person, her work is always available at the London Glassblowing Gallery on Bermondsey Street, SE1, and through Boha Glass online and in gallery. She is also selected to show at Collect 2026 at Somerset House in London, presented by the Crafts Council, which is one of the most prestigious platforms for contemporary craft in the world.
Beyond London, Deborah shows at carefully chosen exhibitions and galleries throughout the year. Keep an eye on the exhibitions page for upcoming dates, or sign up to her newsletter to be the first to hear about new shows near you.
NO TWO PIECES ARE EVER THE SAME
Browse the current collection and find something made to last a lifetime.
FAQS
How is Deborah Timperley’s glass sculpture made?
Each piece begins with a hand-built composition, using chunks of glass, textured fabric moulds or lost wax techniques depending on the collection. The glass is then fired in a kiln over several days before the mould is broken away to reveal the finished sculpture. Many pieces are fired with 23.5ct gold, which is applied before firing to become a permanent part of the glass.
What is cast glass sculpture?
Cast glass sculpture is a form of fine art where molten or kiln-fired glass is shaped using moulds to create unique three-dimensional works. Unlike blown glass, cast glass has a depth and solidity that gives each piece a strong physical presence. Deborah Timperley has specialised in cast glass sculpture for neatly 30 years.
How long does it take to make a glass sculpture?
Each glass sculpture can take several days in the kiln alone, not including the design and making process that comes before it. Because every piece is handmade and unique, no two works are identical.
Are Deborah Timperley’s glass sculptures one of a kind?
Yes. Every piece of glass sculpture that Deborah makes is entirely unique. The nature of the casting process means that even pieces from the same collection will differ in colour, texture and character. Once sold a piece cannot be replicated but one can be made in the same spirit!
Where can I buy Deborah Timperley’s glass sculpture?
Deborah’s glass sculpture is available to buy directly through the online shop on this website. Work is also available at the London Glassblowing Gallery on Bermondsey Street in London, and through Boha Glass. Deborah also shows at selected exhibitions and art fairs throughout the year, including Collect at Somerset House in London.
Is Deborah Timperley’s work in any museum collections?
Yes. Deborah’s glass sculpture is held in the permanent collection of the Museum of Design and Contemporary Applied Arts in Lausanne, Switzerland. She has also received international recognition including an Excellence Award at China’s Craft Glass Creation and Design Competition 2021, and is a Selected Maker with both the Crafts Council and Design Nation.
Does Deborah Timperley accept commissions?
Deborah occasionally accepts commissions for bespoke glass sculpture. If you have a specific piece in mind or would like to discuss a commission, please get in touch directly via the contact page.
Where can I see Deborah Timperley’s glass sculpture in person?
Deborah’s work is permanently available at the London Glassblowing Gallery, Bermondsey Street, London SE1. She also exhibits at carefully selected galleries and art fairs across the UK throughout the year, including Collect at Somerset House, which is the leading international art fair for contemporary craft. Details of upcoming exhibitions can be found on the exhibitions page.