21 Grams of the World. Report from a Century Found in Shards

21 Grams of the World is a collection of ceramic bas-reliefs imagined as fragments of a vanished whole. Each piece feels like a shard recovered from an unknown body: perhaps once part of a wall, a fresco, a ritual map, a carpet, or an altar. We do not know exactly what it belonged to. We only know that it carries the memory of something once complete. The collection takes its title from the old myth of the soul’s 21 grams, not as scientific truth, but as a poetic belief that the soul may leave behind a weight, a mark, a trace. Here, each fragment becomes a small relic of the contemporary soul: incomplete, fragile, searching, yet still holding a quiet memory of wholeness. The work also carries the image of Job’s shard, the humble fragment that remains when almost everything else has been lost. In this sense, the shard becomes both a sign of rupture and proof that a whole once existed. Each bas-relief is deliberately irregular and incomplete, shaped like a found fragment. The raw edges, soft relief, and traces of the hand are part of the work. These pieces are not meant to hide their fragility, but to carry it gently. A ceramic object for the wall, for memory, for contemplation... a small reminder that even what is broken can still hold light. Technique Fired at 1220°C Material: unglazed stoneware Each piece exists in a limited series of 21 editions. Care Each object is made and finished by hand in our small atelier. Slight variations, marks, and imperfections are part of the handmade process and make every piece unique. The ceramic materials used are non-toxic. Clean gently with a soft cloth, soap, and water when needed. Packaging The piece comes in a hard kraft paper box, together with the story of the object. It can become a symbolic gift for someone dear, or for your beloved self. The belief At ARS ANA, we believe in objects that carry meaning beyond function. We create pieces meant to bring joy, tenderness, and emotional luxury into everyday life — objects that speak quietly of the invisible, of care, of kindness, and of the stories we choose to keep close. Delivery time Ships in approximately 10 business days.