Clay base for statues or busts - Fornace Masini

Smooth terracotta column with a square base, suitable for garden or home decoration.

This terracotta column from Impruneta is handcrafted by our artisans with a completely smooth finish.

The column is suitable for supporting busts, statues, or vases, but can also be used individually for aesthetic purposes, serving as a valuable piece of furniture that adds beauty and elegance to any environment. Available in only one size.

Like all other products from the Masini Terrecotte Artistiche line, it is weather-resistant, down to -25 °C.

The size and color of the column, as shown above, may vary slightly due to the handcrafted nature of each piece, making each one unique in the world.

High-quality clay and ancient terracotta crafting techniques are the hallmarks of the Fornace Masini brand. Their kiln has been operating since 1938, making it one of the oldest in the area. Since then, from generation to generation, Masini has committed to offering and guaranteeing products that combine beauty and craftsmanship with functionality and durability. Every artifact is a unique 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 methods. In the kiln, water, air, fire, and earth blend and embrace each other, 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 colors of nature, they are most happily used in garden furniture. Our products are recognized by the brand, which guarantees the highest quality of each item, where the artisan's personal touch and the vitality of tradition are clearly visible.

Impruneta terracotta has been used in major Florentine buildings such as Santo Spirito, Sant'Ambrogio, the apartments of the Grand Duke at Palazzo Vecchio, the Santissima Annunziata monastery, Santa Trinita, and the Santa Maria Nuova and Innocenti hospitals. The entire “Fornace Masini” product range is resistant to extreme temperatures from –20 °C to desert heat. This uniqueness stems from 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 elevate the pot and ensure the drainage hole is not blocked;

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

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

4. Wall and garden fountains should be emptied during cold seasons to prevent cracking or damage 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—use salt if necessary;

6. Prevent prolonged snow coverage on products, as it may cause damage.

The color of each product is unique and differs from all others. This is due to the chemical and physical components of the Impruneta clay, which appear during firing, dominating at different times.

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 of each piece, clearly reflecting the artisan's personal touch and the vibrant strength of tradition.