Virginia and Salvador Baca

Mata Ortiz

Virginia Lozoya de Baca and Salvador Baca are traditional potters originally from the village of Mata Ortiz. I'm told Virginia started it by learning the techniques and methods from one of her sisters. Salvador was working as an accountant back then. As her skill grew he got more and more interested... Around 1995 he stopped going out to work and became a full-time potter. He first learned from his wife's sister, Gloria Lozoya de Veloz, then studied more with Jorge Quintana after he and Virginia moved their family to Nuevo Casas Grandes because of the better schools for their kids.

Virginia usually forms the pots, Salvador usually cuts the openings, burnishes the finish and paints his personal interpretations of Paquimé designs. They fire together, outside on the ground with plenty of manure to create the small black on black pots they are most famous for.

Geometric design and a stylized step and lightning bolt opening on a black on black jar
Black on black jar with a geometric design and a stylized step and lightning bolt opening
3 in H by 4.5 in Dia
Feather and Paquime designs on a black on black jar with a stylized turtle opening
Black on black jar with feather and Paquime designs plus a stylized turtle opening
2 in H by 4 in Dia
Measurement includes stand
Paquime feather design and a stylized rabbit opening decorate a black on black seedpot
Black on black seedpot decorated with a Paquime feather design and a stylized rabbit opening
2 in H by 4 in Dia
Measurement includes stand
Fine line and geometric designs on a black on black jar
Black on black jar with fine line and geometric designs
3.5 in H by 4.25 in Dia
Paquime geometric designs decorate a black on black jar with an organic opening
Black on black jar with an organic, kiva step opening and decorated with Paquime geometric designs
4.5 in H by 3.75 in Dia
Ancient Paquime geometric designs decorate a black on black jar
Black on black jar decorated with ancient Paquime geometric designs
4 in H by 3.5 in Dia
Paquime feather and geometric designs on a black on black jar with a turtle-shaped opening
Black on black jar with turtle-shaped opening and decorated with Paquimé feather and geometric designs
2 in H by 4.25 in Dia
Paquime geometric designs on a black on black jar
Black on black jar with a formed opening and Paquimé geometric designs
3.25 in H by 4.25 in Dia
Geometric designs on a black on black jar
Black on black jar decorated with geometric designs
4 in H by 3.5 in Dia
Geometric design on a black on black jar with a cut opening
Black on black vase with cut opening and decorated with geometric design
4 in H by 4 in Dia
Bird element and geometric design on a black on black jar
Black on black jar decorated with bird element and geometric design
3.75 in H by 3.75 in Dia
Geometric designs on a black on black jar with a stylized bat opening
Black on black jar with a stylized bat opening and decorated with a geometric design
2 in H by 4 in Dia
Measurement includes stand
Geometric cutouts and design on a black on black on black jar
Black on black on black jar decorated with geometric cutouts and design
5.5 in H by 4.5 in Dia
Geometric designs on a black on black jar with a geometric cut opening
Black on black jar with a geometric cut opening and decorated with a bird element and geometric design
1.75 in H by 4 in Dia
Light carving and geometric design on a black on black jar
Black on black jar decorated with a light carving and geometric design
8.75 in H by 6.25 in Dia
Measurement includes stand
Geometric designs and a geometric cut opening on a black on black jar
Black on black jar with a cut geometric opening and decorated with geometric designs
3 in H by 4.25 in Dia

Mata Ortiz/Casas Grandes Potters