Luxurious lion sculpture with the coat of arms of Florence - Fornace Masini

Leone Marzocco (art. 2264) depicts a heraldic lion resting its paw on a shield, in this case representing the city of Florence.

Marzocco is a famous work by Donatello, which remains a symbol of Florence: a copy can still be admired at Piazza della Signoria in Florence.

The terracotta lion statue, due to its size, is suitable for decorating both indoor and outdoor environments, such as gardens.

In particular, pairs of lions can be placed on columns, capitals, gates, or other fences to adorn your entrance.

Pairs of lions can also be sold separately.

High-quality clay and ancient terracotta crafting techniques are synonymous with Fornace Masini. Their kiln began operations in 1938, making it one of the oldest in the area. Since then, generation after generation, Masini has been committed to offering and guaranteeing products that combine beauty and craftsmanship with functionality, as well as 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 find their best use in garden furniture. Our products are recognizable by the brand that guarantees the highest quality of each 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-like 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 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 breakage due to water freezing and expanding;

5. Do not move or lift pots when frozen and adhered 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 color 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, dominating at times one way, 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 Historic and Artistic Kilns Association, which promotes quality and culture and is recognized by the brand that guarantees the highest standards of each object, clearly reflecting the unmistakable touch of the artisan and the vibrant strength of tradition.