Acoma Pueblo Ceramic Pottery Turtle By BJ Cerno

Late 20th Century

2" H x 4.25" L x 3.375" W

Hand Coiled Black on White Turtle with Painted Turtle Motif Design

From a Private Colorado Collection

In Very Good Condition

BJ Cerno is Barbara and Joseph Cerno (also signed B.J. Cerno or Barbara & Joseph Cerno), a well-known husband-and-wife team of traditional potters from Acoma Pueblo, New Mexico. eyesofthepot.com Joseph Cerno was born in 1947 and Barbara in 1951 (Barbara is of Acoma and Hopi heritage). They learned pottery from Joseph’s mother, Santana (Annie) Cimmeron Cerno, and began making miniatures together around 1969. They later became known for some of the largest contemporary traditional Acoma vessels, though they also produce smaller pieces. They have won awards at major events including Santa Fe Indian Market, Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonials, and the New Mexico State Fair. Their work is typically thin-walled (a hallmark of fine Acoma pottery that produces a clear ring when tapped), hand-coiled from local clay, slipped, and painted with mineral pigments, often in black-on-white or polychrome styles with geometric, fine-line, floral, parrot, animal, and other traditional motifs.