Antique column under the garden sink - Fornace Masini

The very high-quality clay and ancient terracotta crafting techniques are synonymous with the Fornace Masini manufactory. Their kiln began operations in 1938, being one of the oldest kilns in the area. From that moment, generation after generation, the Masini family has been committed to offering and guaranteeing products that combine beauty and craftsmanship with functionality and durability. Absolutely every artefact is a unique piece of functional art.

There are many terracotta processing techniques, each with its own secrets, history, and craftsmen. The brand crafts clay according to ancient traditional techniques. In the kiln, water, air, fire, and earth mix and embrace, creating unique objects of this kind, with extraordinary beauty.

The entire range of "MASINI" vessels is perfectly suited for interior decoration, but due to the natural affinity of the material with the environment and the colours of nature, it finds its happiest application in garden furniture. Our products are recognisable by the brand, which guarantees the highest level of each individual item, in which the irreplaceable touch of the craftsman and the vital force of tradition are clearly visible.

Impruneta terracotta was used in the most important Florentine buildings, such as the church of Santo Spirito, Sant'Ambrogio, the Grand Duke's apartments in Palazzo Vecchio, the Santissima Annunziata monastery, Santa Trinita, and the hospitals of Santa Maria Nuova and Innocenti. The entire range of "Fornace Masini" products is resistant to extreme temperatures from –20 ° to desert temperatures. This peculiarity is due to the highly valued clay extracted in the Impruneta area, a town near Florence, between the valleys where the Ema and Greve streams flow. The extraction area is very limited - about 200 km - hence the value of the extracted material is extraordinary.

Precautions to keep products in perfect condition for a long time

1. Use small wooden or terracotta supports to keep the pot raised and ensure the drainage hole is not blocked;

2. Ensure that water does not stagnate in pots used as cachepots or pot holders;

3. Empty and possibly turn over "saucers" or dishes that collect water when the temperature approaches 0 °;

4. Wall and garden fountains should be emptied in cold seasons to avoid cracks or splits due to water solidification and subsequent volume increase;

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

6. Prevent prolonged snow retention on products, as it may cause damage.

The colour 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, with one or another dominating at different times.

Among the most particular chemical components is iron oxide, which allows the cooked product to be coloured in a characteristic red hue.

Since 2005, the company has been a founding member of the Association of Historical and Artistic Kilns of Impruneta, which is committed to promoting quality and culture and is recognisable by the brand, which guarantees the highest level of each object to which the irreplaceable touch of the craftsman and the vibrant force of tradition can be clearly attributed.