Beautiful statue of Venus made of terracotta - Fornace Masini

Venus, starting from Greek tradition, is a symbol of universal love and beauty.

And this terracotta statue perfectly fits into this long tradition: from Venus of Milo to Maja Desnuda, passing through Botticelli’s Venus and Giorgione’s Sleeping Venus.

Ideal for adding a touch of history and classicism to your garden or home, Venus suits any environment thanks to its sweet and soft lines reminiscent of

Very high-quality clay and ancient terracotta techniques are synonymous with the Fornace Masini workshop. Their kiln began operations in 1938, making it one of the oldest in the area. Since then, from generation to generation, Masini has been committed to offering and guaranteeing products that combine beauty and craftsmanship with functionality, as well as durability. Every artifact is an exclusive work of functional art.

There are many terracotta processing techniques, each with its own secrets, history, and artisans. The brand crafts clay using ancient traditional techniques. In the kiln, water, air, fire, and earth blend and embrace, creating unique objects of extraordinary beauty.

The entire range of “MASINI” vessels is perfect for interior decoration, but due to the natural proximity of the material to the environment and natural colors, it finds its best application in garden furniture. Our products are recognizable by the brand, which guarantees the highest quality of each individual item, where the unmistakable touch of the artisan and the vitality of tradition are clearly visible.

Terracotta imprints have been used in the most important Florentine buildings, such as the Santo Spirito church, Sant'Ambrogio, the apartments of the Grand Duke at Palazzo Vecchio, the Santissima Annunziata monastery, Santa Trinita, and hospitals Santa Maria Nuova and Innocenti. The entire “Fornace Masini” product range is resistant to extreme temperatures from –20°C to desert heat. This feature is due to the highly valued clay mined in the Impruneta area, a town near Florence, between the valleys of the Ema and Greve streams. The extraction area is very limited—about 200 km—making the material's value extraordinary.

Precautions to keep products in excellent condition for a long time

1. Use small wooden or terracotta supports to keep the pot elevated and ensure the drainage hole is not blocked;

2. Make sure water does not accumulate in pots used as cachepots or plant holders;

3. Empty and possibly turn over “saucers” or containers that collect water when temperatures approach 0°C;

4. Wall and garden fountains should be emptied during cold seasons to prevent cracks or breakage caused by water freezing and expanding;

5. Do not move or lift pots when frozen and stuck to the ground, and do not use hot water to detach them—if necessary, use salt.

6. Prevent prolonged snow accumulation on products, as it can cause damage.

Each product’s coloration is unique and differs from all others. This is due to the chemical and physical components of the Impruneta clay, which appear during firing, sometimes dominating one color, then another.

The most notable chemical component is iron oxide, which gives the fired product its characteristic red hue.

Since 2005, the company has been a founding member of the Impruneta Historic and Artistic Kilns Association, which promotes quality and culture and is recognized by the brand that guarantees the highest standards for each object, clearly reflecting the unmistakable touch of the artisan and the vibrant strength of tradition.