The Michigan Depression Glass Society posted a link about Cleo on their Facebook page that got me itching to write this post. I’d always thought Cleo was one of the earliest etched dinnerware patterns that Cambridge made in colored glass. My references show it from 1921 to 1945, quite a long production period, and 1921 was well ahead of the trend towards glass dinnerware or colored glass.
Mark Nye, a noted Cambridge expert, wrote the article in the Cambridge Crystal Ball newsletter, suggesting that Cambridge most likely made Cleo stemware but not the dinnerware prior to 1928. Cambridge advertised the pattern in all their usual colors, the Willow Blue shown in the center handled server, Peach-Blo (light pink), amber, emerald and Gold Krystol plus crystal.
The server shown is the Decagon blank, which as 10 sides (usually) and used the keyhole handles. I’ve seen pieces in blue, green, pink and clear, mostly with the Decagon blank. Cambridge used Decagon for many of their earlier etched patterns and sold it plain. It’s quite an attractive shape with fun handles.
I like etches with lots of scrolls usually, but to me Cleo is a bit busy. That Decagon server has the etched motif on each of the 10 panels which is a lot of scrolls and swags! This oval vegetable bowl is a little less busy and I find it prettier than the server.
Cambridge used at least two stem lines, #7606, the same as for Marjorie with its rounded stout bowl, and the very pretty #3077 which has ripples on the lower part of the bowl. The Cleo footed tumblers in the photo from the glass show are on the 3077 blank.
If you are on Facebook then I recommend you Like the Michigan Depression Glass Society page. They post interesting links and photos several times a week.