Tall decorative clay pot with handles - Fornace Masini

Homer's Vase is a columnar vessel depicting the story of the famous Greek poet Homer.

This column-shaped vase, like most of its kind, consists of two parts: the base and the vase itself.

The Homer Vase is undoubtedly an expression of the artistic classicism of Masini terracotta, not only because of its shape but also because of the story depicted there.

Inspired by the Medici vase from the ancient collection of the ancient Medici villa in Rome, now exhibited in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, it has a bell shape, on the surface of which it depicts the story of poet Homer, accompanied by magnificent acanthus leaf friezes.

Exceptional quality clay and ancient terracotta techniques are synonymous with the Fornace Masini company. Their kiln has been operating since 1938, making it one of the oldest in the region. Since then, from generation to generation, Masini has been committed to offering and guaranteeing products that combine beauty and craftsmanship with functionality, but also 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 techniques. In the kiln, water, air, fire, and earth blend and embrace, creating unique objects of this kind, 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 the colors of nature, it finds its happiest application in garden furniture. Our products are recognized 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.

Impruneta terracotta has 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 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 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 accumulate in pots used as cachepots or plant holders;

3. Empty and possibly invert “saucers” or containers that collect water when the temperature approaches 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.

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, sometimes dominating one color, then 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 Historical and Artistic Impruneta Kilns, which promotes quality and culture and is recognized by the brand that guarantees the highest level of each object, clearly reflecting the unmistakable touch of the artisan and the vibrant strength of tradition.