Description
A rare and vibrant mid-century modern 2-piece covered vegetable or casserole serving dish manufactured by Universal Potteries of Cambridge, Ohio. Produced circa 1952 as a premium accessory piece to their iconic Ballerina dinnerware line, this solid-color variant is finished in a highly reflective, high-gloss forest green glaze.
The vessel features a clean, streamlined Atomic-era silhouette tapering down to a smooth base ring. It comes paired with its original matching, step-domed ceramic lid accented by molded concentric petal ridges and the signature Ballerina circular loop finial knob handle. The underside of the bowl is stamped with the clear underglaze factory crest reading: "UNIVERSAL… OVEN-PROOF… Ballerina… UNION MADE IN U.S.A.".
Dimensions
Bowl Diameter: Approximately 9.25 inches (23.5 cm)
Total Width: Approximately 10.375 inches (26.4 cm)
Overall Height: Approximately 5.25 inches (13.3 cm) with lid
Condition Report
True Ceramic Structure: The heavy ceramic bowl and matching lid are structurally intact, free from fractures, large chips, or deep kitchen impacts. The baseline rim of the bowl and the matching inset flange of the lid remain square and stable.
True Glaze & True Crazing Details: The high-gloss green glaze maintains an exceptional, brilliant reflection across both pieces. Close inspection reveals a localized network of fine, tight underglaze crazing lines webbed across the upper surface of the lid knob, which is common for 1950s earthenware.
True Surface Imperfections: The central field inside the base bowl is clean. The outer perimeter rim of the stepped lid shows one tiny, superficial pinpoint glaze pop or manufacturing fleck that exposes the underlying white clay body, original to the factory firing process.