This is a beautiful example of pottery from the Acoma Pueblo. This seed jar is well appointed with Mimbres animals and some geometric designs. Although small (4 1/2 ” x 3 ¼ ”d) this seed jar will be an eye-catcher and become a focal point wherever it is displayed. This piece of art is signed by the well-recognized husband and wife pottery making team of Barbara Hayah Cerno (1951), and Merle Joseph Martin Cerno (1947)

Beautiful black geometric designs are hand-painted painted with white slip and black figures on a traditionally hand-formed vessel. The skillfully styled black lines contrast in a striking fashion against the white background. The seed jar is carefully and beautifully detailed. The vessel is quite thin showing the special pottery making skill of the artists.

The bowel was purchased at auction (sticker still attached) in the 1980s-1990s, and has had one owner since. The bowel has been on display in a non-smoking home in an open, yet protective display case. The vessel would be perfect for the current popular white decor/dark contrast farmhouse style, or anywhere there is a desire for texture, ethnic art, geometric symmetry, or a wish for natural earthy elements.
Barbara and Joseph are award winning potters. In 1971 they won 1st Prize in the Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial in Gallop, NM, which began a career that resulted in a long list of awards and ribbons. The designs on their pottery are well balanced and are often inspired from early historic Acoma vessels which may include animals and other forms of nature. Their pottery is highly sought after by museums and collectors around the world due to their beauty, quality and very thin-walled construction.