Clay flower pot in the Mediterranean style - Fornace Masini

La Tinozza Baccalà is a beautiful oval terracotta planter, suitable for decorating gardens or terraces.

This terracotta planter is handcrafted by our artisans; historically, shopkeepers used it to hold water for storing salted cod ready for sale. It is a container particularly suitable for aromatic plants, thanks to the excellent breathability of Impruneta terracotta combined with thermal insulation and minimal moisture release from watering, keeping roots and plants in perfect health.

Besides its function as a planter, this piece is a valuable piece of furniture, adding beauty and elegance to any environment.

Like all other products in the Masini Terracotta Art series, it is weather-resistant up to -25 °C.

Dimensions and color, as indicated above, may vary slightly due to the handcrafted nature of each item, making each piece unique in the world.

High-quality clay and ancient terracotta techniques are synonymous with 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. Each 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 recognizable by the brand, which guarantees the highest quality of each item, where the unmistakable touch of craftsmanship 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 hospitals Santa Maria Nuova and Innocenti. The entire “Fornace Masini” product range is resistant to extreme temperatures from –20 °C to desert-like heat. This uniqueness 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 planter elevated and ensure the drainage hole is not blocked;

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

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

4. Wall and garden fountains should be emptied during cold seasons to prevent cracks or breaks caused by freezing water 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 coverage on products, as it may cause damage.

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

Among the most distinctive chemical components is iron oxide, which gives the fired product its characteristic red hue.

Since 2005, the company has been a founding member of the Impruneta Historical and Artistic Stove Association, which is committed to promoting quality and culture. It is recognized by its brand, which guarantees the highest standard of every piece that distinctly reflects the irreplaceable touch of craftsmanship and the vibrant spirit of tradition. Manufacturer information