Terracotta pillar vase with lid - Fornace Masini

The smooth Frescobaldi vase is a terracotta columnar vessel that can be placed above gate sides, columns, or simply on the ground. This decorative terracotta vase from Impruneta is handcrafted by our artisans and is completely smooth, equipped with a lid.

Besides serving as a planter, the smooth Frescobaldi vase is a valuable piece of furniture, adding beauty and elegance to any setting.

Like all other products from the Masini Terrecotte Artistiche series, it is weather-resistant down to -25 °C.

The dimensions and box color, as shown above, may vary slightly due to the handcrafted nature of the product, making each piece unique in the world.

High-quality clay and ancient terracotta techniques are synonymous with the Fornace Masini manufactory. Their kiln, established in 1938, is one of the oldest in the area. Since then, generation after generation, Masini has committed to offering and guaranteeing products that combine beauty and craftsmanship with functionality and 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 methods. In their kiln, water, air, fire, and earth blend and embrace, creating unique objects of extraordinary beauty.

The entire MASINI range of vessels is perfect for interior decoration but, due to the natural material's proximity to the environment and colors of nature, finds its 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.

Impruneta terracotta has been used in major 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 like Santa Maria Nuova and Innocenti. The entire range of Fornace Masini products is resistant to extreme temperatures from -20 °C to desert heat. This durability is due to the highly prized 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 pot 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 invert 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 breakage caused by water freezing and expanding;

5. Do not move or lift pots when frozen and stuck to the ground; do not use hot water to detach them—if necessary, use salt;

6. Prevent prolonged snow coverage on the 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 artisan's personal touch and the vibrant strength of tradition.