Tall clay pot with handles and cover - Fornace Masini

The vase with spiral handles is an impressive terracotta vase, featuring decorative elements, measuring one meter in length and 25 centimeters in height.

  This planter with a pillar consists of three elements: the base, the planter itself, and the lid. The vase's base is smooth and very simple, while the decorations are mainly centered on the vase and the lid, topped with a pinecone. The decorations give the vase elegance and majesty with scrollwork.

The scrollwork vase is an ancient model, to the extent that many Florentine palaces are decorated with terracotta vases.

Ideal for classic environments such as villas or palaces, but also suitable for gardens

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 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 clay brand is made according to ancient traditional techniques. In the kiln, water, air, fire, and earth blend and embrace, creating unique objects of this kind, with 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 the colors of nature, it finds its best use 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 the Santa Maria Nuova and Innocenti hospitals. The entire range of “Fornace Masini” products 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 perfect 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 accumulate in containers used as cachepots or plant holders;

3. Empty and possibly turn over “trays” 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 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.

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, sometimes dominating one color, sometimes 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 for each object, clearly reflecting the unmistakable touch of the artisan and the vibrant strength of tradition.