Joseph Cerno is known for his large coil-built vessels.  He 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 round body and short neck. The jar has two large birds with flowers separated by two large heartline deer. The shape of the deer have a very whimsical appearance!  The jar is patined with bee-weed and two colors of clay.  It has the feel of a historic Acoma jar but with the Cerno fine lines and tightly painted imagery.  The bottom is slipped red and has an indented bottom, which again harkens back to the Acoma pottery of the late 1800s. The jar is signed on the bottom “Barbara & Joseph Cerno”.  It is from around 2000 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 revivalist designs and techniques.