Don’t you love the variety in depression glass colors, shapes and patterns? We find variety even within the larger patterns. Multiple cup shapes, tumblers, sherbets, bowls, even plates – glass companies like Hocking were smart and produced small variations and special pieces in their most popular designs.
Cameo from Hocking, also known as Ballerina or Dancing Girl for the pattern motif, is one of those patterns that were popular in the 1930s and enchant collectors yet today. Take luncheon plates for example. I know of three different styles of lunch-sized plates; square, round with a big medallion and round with a small medallion.
The square plate actually has eight sides, octagonal then? It looks square to me, just has the corners chopped off!
Cameo Green Depression Glass Square Luncheon Plate
The round plates are a bit trickier. I have had Cameo luncheon plates from several sources and all have had the small center medallion. Both plates are the same size, about 8 1/8 inches across.
Cameo Green Depression Glass Round Lunch Plate with a Small Center Medallion
The other style has a large medallion. This is where it gets tricky. The center design fills the center of the plate, with swags that reach right to the verge. However, the circular motif in the center is actually smaller than the one I showed. One customer bought this plate from me then realized his wife’s set all had the big center design.
If you collect Cameo and want luncheon plates be sure to check photographs if you want your plates all the same. Of course these look great when you mix the styles too.
I am curious whether Hocking made one style first, then slightly adjusted the molds, or they were produced together. Eighty years after the fact we can only guess!