Barbara and Joseph Cerno are known for their large coil-built vessels. Joseph would also make pieces with his wife, Barbara.  The jar is coil-built and it is a classic water jar or “olla” shape with a high shoulder and a short sloping neck.  The design has four thunderbirds painted around the neck.  Below are two bands of trains, with two trains on each row.  Each of the four is different in design with the use of checkerboard lines or red clay slip.  The inside of the neck and the base are also slipped red.  The jar was traditionally fired so there are color variations on the surface.  It is signed on the bottom “Barbara & Joseph Cerno”.  It is from 1999 and it is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.  It is certainly a wonderful contemporary Acoma vessel with a dramatic use of creative designs and traditional techniques.