12 Solid Colors:  Universal Ballerina 1948 - 1955

Chartreuse, (1949 egg cups)

If you collect Mid-Century Modern, solid color dinnerware, you really should consider Universal's Ballerina line.  There has been a lot of confusion about the different colors, especially the greens and blues.  After a bit of studying and tons of collecting, (I have approximately 600 pieces,)  I can help you figure out the years and colors, as well as the different pieces that were made. 

Universal Potteries of Cambridge Ohio  was born of The Cambridge Art Pottery Company (1900-1909)  which begat The Guernsey Earthenware Co. (1909-1925) which incorporated The Oxford Pottery Co. in 1913 and later began the Atlas-Globe China co.  In 1934 Universal Potteries was formed by incorporating The Atlas-Globe Co. and The Oxford Pottery Co....Okay, enough with the boring stuff!

Universal Potteries made many shapes of pottery.  My favorite, and the subject of this guide, focuses on their Ballerina shape.  With it's circular ringed handles and mid-century colors, you can dream up tons of color combinations.

The first colors were produced in 1948.  Introduced to the public were Periwinkle Blue, Jonquil Yellow, Jade Green, and Dove Grey.  I love to combine the jade,  periwinkle, and yellow for spring or Easter.

In 1949, Forest Green, Burgundy, Chartreuse, (such a 40s/50s color,) and Sierra rust were produced.  If you've seen bark cloth from this time period, these colors were used a lot!  Burgundy and Forest Green are great for Christmas time.

There was a period of 6 years before they came out with new colors.  In 1955 they introduced Pink, Charcoal (black), Turquoise Blue, and Antique White, (off-white.)  How very 50's!!!

The problem with color identification comes with the greens and blues.  Jade Green, (often listed as Forest Green,) is the hardest to find.  Jade is much lighter than Forest Green.  The platter is Jade Green. 

It's almost a deep Sea-foam green.  Compare it to the next picture of the Forest Green egg cups.  Forest Green is deep and dark like the forest.  Compare these 2 Greens to the picture of the other egg cups at the top, under the article's heading.  That's Chartreuse and has hints of yellow.

Now for the Blues.  The biggest problem is distinguishing between 1948's Periwinkle Blue and 1955's Turquoise.  It's really hard to buy a piece in either of those colors unless the dealer knows the difference between the two.  If you set them side by side they don't match.  I've bought Turquoise pieces that were listed as Periwinkle and vise-a-versa.  The Turquoise is much harsher and a green tinge.  Periwinkle is a true Robin's Egg Blue.  See if you can see the difference between these 2 pictures.This is a Turquoise (1955) saucer.

This is a Periwinkle Blue (1948) Gravy Liner.  There's a big difference when you compare them in the light.

The other colors are easy to differentiate.  Jonquil is a pale yellow, Dove Grey is grey.  Burgundy is a deep, maroon red.  Sierra Rust is a rust color.  Pink, Black and Antique White are true, although it's sometimes hard to tell if a piece is grey or off-white with some pictures in listings I've seen.

The hardest colors to find are Jade Green, Periwinkle Blue, Sierra Rust, (really the hardest,) Black, and Antique White, (the second hardest to find.)

Hope I could help someone who collects this Mid-Century Universal dinnerware find their colors and years.  Following is a list of the many pieces produced in each color, as well as the size.

BOWLS:

5 1/4 inch fruit bowl

Tab (2 handle) soup bowl

6 inch oatmeal bowl

7 1/4 inch coupe soup bowl

5 1/2 inch thick, salad bowl, very hard to find

5 inch, (3 inch tall) utility bowl

Set of stacking bowls with lids

Set of  3 size mixing bowls

Very Rare one-handled soup crock, (part of their kitchen-ware line)

6 3/4 inch small serving bowl

8 inch medium serving bowl

9 inch large serving bowl

10 3/8 inch covered casserole

Double Egg cups....(really hard to find)

PLATES

6 1/4 inch bread and butter

7 1/2 inch salad

Square Salad plates, (almost impossible to find)

9 1/4 breakfast/lunch plate

10 inch Diner plate

10 1/4 inch small platter

11 5/8 inch medium platter

13 1/4 inch large platter

OTHER PIECES

Creamer, Sugar, Gravy Boat and Liner, Tumblers with Off-Center Saucers (very rare)....Demitasse Cups and Tea Cups with Saucers, 2 size Coffee Pots (36 and 48 oz,) a Teapot, Salt and Pepper Shakers, Tid-Bit Trays, (usually made of various different plates and bowls,) Water Pitchers, and Butter Dishes.

Universal also came out with Kithen-Ware to match.  There are Grease Jars with Lids, Mugs, French Casseroles, Range Shakers, and Salad Forks and Spoons.

You can create quite a tablescape with all these pieces and colors.  Luckily I have a built-in buffet to store all my pieces.  I think Sierra Rust and Black will be great for Halloween!  If anyone can find some square salad plates in any color but yellow, drop me a line!!!!!!

Laura