Stangl Terra Rose Birds

Stangl introduced Terra Rose birds in 1941. Terra rose was made in three colors; blue, green, and mauve; with blue being much less common than either green or mauve. The unique terra rose finish typically has a "milky" and blurred appearance to it. This was accomplished by putting two coats of glaze on each piece of pottery. The first coat would be the main glaze color (blue, green, or mauve). The second glaze would be a clear overcoat glaze with zirconium in it. Upon firing the zirconium would act as an opacifier and give the overglaze a milky effect. Areas of red clay that had not received an undercoat glaze would turn a "milky" pink. Interestingly enough the first birds to be introduced in terra rose finishes were the 3250 series of ducks. Apparently they were introduced as part of the terra rose giftware line and not as part of the bird line. It was not until 1944 that the 3250 ducks would be included in Stangl's bird line. Seven other birds (the 3285 Rooster (Original), 3286 Hen (Original), 3400 Lovebird (Original), 3402S Oriole (Original), 3405S Cockatoo, 3406S Kingfisher, 3407 Owl, and the 3586 "Della Ware" Pheasant) can be found in at least one of the terra rose finishes. All of these birds were apparently made in the early 1940s. Note: (In some cases green terra rose pieces will have areas that appear to be silvery black. This would occur if the green underglaze were applied too heavily.  The copper in the underglaze would react with the zirconium in the overglaze turning silvery black. Some heavily glazed pieces will appear almost completely black.)