Luxurious bas-relief made of clay - Fornace Masini

Tondo Taddei  is undoubtedly the most beautiful reproduction of the artistic series of terracotta by Masini.

Tondo Taddei is a marble bas-relief created by the renowned Renaissance artist Michelangelo, and it is currently housed at the Royal Academy of Arts in London.

Carved between 1504 and 1506, Tondo Taddei depicts the Virgin Mary, the Infant Jesus, and the young Saint John, who, showing the child a goldfinch, frightens him, forcing him to seek refuge in his Mother’s arms.

Tondo Taddei is not a simple object but a work of art, suitable for classic interiors and art connoisseurs.

High-quality clay and ancient terracotta techniques are synonymous with Fornace Masini. Their kiln began operations in 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 piece 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, 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 find their best use in garden furniture. Our products are recognizable 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.

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 stagnate 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 fractures 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 coverage on products, as it may cause damage.

Each product’s color 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, sometimes 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 Association of Historic and Artistic Impruneta Kilns, which promotes quality and culture and is recognized by the brand that guarantees the highest standards for each object, clearly reflecting the unmistakable artisan touch and the vibrant strength of tradition.