The word Oema is derived from the letters of the sentence "Mario oleiro" in Portuguese, which translates to "Mario the potter". Mario de Souza was Ana’s grandfather and a highly skilled potter.
Ana de Souza is a Brazilian designer and ceramicist behind each Oema piece.
Ana's journey and Oema's history intertwined with the places and cultures that were part of her journey. While studying design, Ana began her exploration of the ceramics craft while living in various countries, including Brazil, Portugal, and Hungary.
Each of these experiences has profoundly impacted Ana's design sensibility, which is characterized by a combination of minimalist, elegant, and thoughtful forms. This unique blend creates the essence of the treasures that carry the Oema name.
When Ana founded Oema, she drew on her grandfather's and great-grandfather's pottery legacy to create contemporary and deeply personal pieces. She combines modern design sensibilities with a sentimental touch, creating both functional and meaningful pieces.
The act of shaping objects became, for Ana, a way to honor memory, place, and time.
The flower has become a symbol of Oema’s universe. A recurring inspiration to Ana’s work and one that carries deep familial meaning. Her grandmother Valquiria used to paint flowers on Mario’s pottery, creating a visual language that now lives on through Oema. For Ana, flowers evoke movement, tenderness, and renewal, connecting her present creations to her childhood memories.
Designed by Ana and produced in Barcelona, Oema’s jewelry is cast in recycled 925 Sterling Silver and 18k Gold.
Each jewelry piece is crafted between Casa Oema and local artisan studios and manufacturers, with whom a close relationship has been nurtured since the creation of the La Flor Ear Cuff in 2024.
Originals are produced using a variety of techniques depending on the design, from hand modeling to laser cutting and digital modeling.
Ana designs and personally wheel-throws, finishes, and glazes each ceramic piece at Casa Oema, her private studio in Barcelona.
At Oema, each handcrafted ceramic piece is made with care and attention to detail. The slow and deliberate nature of the ceramic process is honored, resulting in small-batch production.
Oema exclusively works with stoneware and non-toxic glazes, making every piece microwave- and dishwasher-safe.