In the mountains of Mexico, furniture designer and master weaver Mario Lopez Torres works with locally sourced organic materials to painstakingly craft complex and elegant decorative objects, tables and seating.
Originally from Mexico City, Torres apprenticed for his father, who was a professional photographer, and at 13 years old enrolled in a school for the fine arts, as he had by then become deeply interested in illustration and working with clay. At 20, Torres pursued a dream of designing furniture — specifically, weaving. He traveled to Altepexi, a municipality in Puebla, to learn how its artisans wove works from a wooden vegetable reed that is native to the region.
Torres sought mentorship from the prevalent artists Ana Pellicer and James Metcalf in order to learn how to work with metal, as he would need to create frames of brass and copper that supported his woven structures. Torres traveled to the United States to purchase metalworking equipment and went on to establish his own workshop in a small mountain village back in Mexico.
Torres put his hands and imagination to work — he harvested courses of chuspata, which is a reed that grows abundantly on the shores of Lake Pátzcuaro in Michoacán, and welded frames that the reed is woven around. He sold his first piece of furniture in 1974.
Today, Torres creates works that are characterized by his affinity for nature. His palm floor lamps feature woven rattan — a light and versatile material that can mingle with a wide range of styles — while the lifelike monkeys, birds and other animals that support his tables, table lamps or adorn his mirror frames are crafted from chuspata and take on whimsical poses. They create a playful, provocative presence in any space.
Find Mario Lopez Torres seating, lighting and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
Antique “Jaguar Petite” Stool by Mario Lopez Torres - Mexico, circa 1970
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Sculptural “Jaguar Petite” zoomorphic stool designed by Mario Lopez Torres, a leading figure in 20th-century Mexican design working with natural fibers, circa 1970. The piece featur...
Iron
Mario Lopez Torres Pair Rattan and Brass Monkey Console Tables
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Console Tables by Mexican Artist, Mario Lopez Torres. The tables are held by a hand-woven rattan monkey - A steel frame with Hand-woven rattan is the base and body, while t...
Brass, Metal
Antique Mario Lopez Torres Jaguar Stool
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970, we offer this Antique Mario Lopez Torres Jaguar Stool, made in natural woven and iron structure, the eyes are made in brass. It has details on one ear and on the legs.
Iron
Vintage Mario Lopez Torres Turtle Basket
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Hastings, GB
An exceptional Turtle basket by the highly acclaimed Mexican artist and sculptor Mario Lopez Torres, the metal frame and chuspata woven design modelled a...
Steel
Mario Lopez Torres Midcentury Wicker Toucan Wall Sconce Signed 1974 Mexico
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in St. Louis, MO
Mario Lopez Torres whimsical wicker Toucan with brass beak wall sconce light. Retains brass medallion on inside : signed Mario Lopez Torres, Tzumindi, Hecho en Mexico, 1974. Includes...
Brass
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
Jaguar Coffee and Cocktail Table by Mario López Torres
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in CABA, AR
Presenting an exceptional Jaguar coffee table, masterpiece by Mario López Torres that transcend functionality to become captivating wicker-woven sc...
Rattan
Mario Lopez Torres Monkey Floor Lamp
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Hastings, GB
A quite exceptional floor lamp by the highly acclaimed Mexican artist and sculptor Mario Lopez Torres, the enormous metal frame and chuspata woven design stands at over 1.8 Metres ta...
Metal
Pair of Mario Torres Lopez Rattan Monkeys in Palm Tree Sconces
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Rattan Monkey's on a Palm Tree, Attributed to Mario Lopez Torres. The pair are wonderful flanking a doorway or entry way and especially great in a home near the water or a ...
Metal, Brass
Mario Lopez Torres Wicker Panther Stool, Early 1970s
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Mario Lopez Torres Wicker Panther stool, Made in the early 1970s. Panther stool or could be used for a small table. The Panther has copper teet...
Wicker
Antique Mario Lopez Torres Monkey Console
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970, we offer this Antique Original Mario Lopez Torres Monkey Console, made in natural woven and iron structure, Hecho en Mexico. The ...
Iron
Parrot Floor Lamp By Mario Lopez Torres
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Miami, FL
Parrot Floor lamp by Mario Lopez Torres
Rattan
Antique Mario Lopez Torres Elephant Box
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970, we offer this Antique Original Mario Lopez Torres Elephant Box, made in natural woven and iron structure, includes original mark Mario Lopez Torres 1974 Hecho en Mexico.
Iron
Antique Mario Lopez Torres Jaguar Petite Stool
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970, we offer this Antique Mario Lopez Torres Jaguar Petite Stool, made in natural woven and iron structure, the eyes are made in precious stone.
Iron
Floor lamp by Mario López Torres 1970s
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Floor lamp by Mexican artist and sculptor Mario López Torres made of iron woven with chuspata, its base with an elegant Greek key shape at the base creates an exclusive original mid-...
Iron
Mario Torres Wicker Sculpture of a Woman
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Amusing and macabre life size midcentury Mario Torres woven wicker sculpture of a woman in Edwardian attire. Having copper flowers and metal feathers on her hat and skeletal hands, o...
Reed
A Vintage Taxidermy Hawksbill Sea Turtle
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Vintage Taxidermy Hawksbill Sea Turtle Length: 57cm Height: 11cm Width: 28cm Provenance: Private Australian Collection. Note: This item may be subject to export/import restricti...
Sea turtle
$5,495
H 80 in W 48 in D 48 in
RARE Mid-century Sculptural Rattan Palm Tree floor Lamp, Mario Torres Lopez
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Original late 1960s life-size six-foot-tall palm tree floor lamp sculpted from stick rattan and wicker with removable leaves and 3 coconut-shaped lights attributed to Mario Lopez Tor...
Rattan
ClassiCon Bow Coffee Table No. 5 by Guilherme Torres
By Guilherme Torres
Located in New York, NY
Inspired by 1970s lines and designs, Brazilian Guilherme Torres presents a side table or coffee table of casual elegance. The metal-covered surface of the body also quotes futuristic...
Brass
Vintage Turtle Sculpture or Figure
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Life like, life size turtle sculpture crafted in composition in an amazing realistic replication. Labeled Animal Classics on the bottom.
Composition
$14,064 / set
H 12.21 in W 66.93 in D 12.21 in
ClassiCon Set of 3 Bow Coffee Table by Guilherme Torres
By Guilherme Torres
Located in New York, NY
Inspired by 1970s lines and designs, Brazilian Guilherme Torres presents a side table or coffee table of casual elegance. The metal-covered surface of the body also quotes futuristic...
Brass
ClassiCon Bow Coffee Table No. 4 by Guilherme Torres
By Guilherme Torres
Located in New York, NY
Inspired by 1970s lines and designs, Brazilian Guilherme Torres presents a side table or coffee table of casual elegance. The metal-covered surface of the body also quotes futuristic...
Brass
$3,098 / set
H 10.63 in W 8.67 in D 5.91 in
Pair of Midcentury Woven Wicker Weave & Rattan Wall Sconces, Italy 1960
Located in Barcelona, ES
Pair of Italian Mid-century Modern Wall Sconces, Rattan, Wicker ____________________________________________________________________________ Pair of half cylinder wall lights with wi...
Rattan, Wicker
$1,792
H 34.65 in W 30.71 in D 13.39 in
Franco Albini Attrib. Rattan and brass console table, Italy 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Naples, IT
Gorgeous rattan console table with brass top. This amazing piece was produced in the style of Franco Albini in Italy during the 1960s. Entirely handmade, perfect example of 1960s Ita...
Brass
$2,979
H 13.39 in W 47.25 in D 14.57 in
Scandinavian 'Krobo' Bench in Rosewood by Torbjørn Afdal for Mellemstrands
By Torbjørn Afdal, Mellemstrands Trevareindustri
Located in Karlstad, SE
"Krobo" bench by Torbjørn Afdal for Mellemstrands Trevareindustri, Norway. The bench is made of solid wood with thick rosewood vaneer. It can be used in many ways, for example as a...
Wood
1970s Mario Lopez Torres Monkey Bench in Woven Rattan
Located in Lancaster, PA
This is a vintage Mario Lopez Torres hand woven rattan bench in the shape of a monkey. The design was initially conceived in 1974, and this particular piece dates to the 1970s. The...
Rattan
$995
H 26 in W 16 in D 16.5 in
Water Hyacinth Woven Rattan Monkey Sculpture Attributed to Mario Lopez Torres
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Add a bit of whimsy to your interior with this adorable seated woven rattan & water hyacinth monkey attributed to Mario Lopez Torres.
Rattan
Fossilized Turtle Skull
Located in New York, NY
A beautifully preserved fossilized turtle skull from the Kem Kem fossil formation in Morocco, exhibiting outstanding anatomical detail. The bone structure remains highly intact, with...
Other
Sold
H 16 in W 32 in D 10 in
Vintage Mexican Mid Century Pig by Mario Lopez Torres, Rare 1974 Tzumindi
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in San Diego, CA
Mario Lopez Torres was born in 1952 in Mexico City. From the beginning, Mario’s attention was drawn to artistic hobbies including drawing, modeling with clay and engraving. He was ...
Rattan
1970s Cheetah Woven Rattan Sculpture by Mario Lopez Torres
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Lancaster, PA
This is a large Cheetah Sculpture, executed in hand-woven rattan, initially designed by Mario Lopez Torres in ca. 1974. This example dates to the 2020s. Lopez Torres is known for...
Rattan
Vintage Coyote Bench by Mario Lopez Torres, 1970s
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Coronado, CA
A vintage Coyote Bench by Mario Lopez Torres, hand crafted in Mexico in the 1970s. This anthropomorphic bench is crafted of woven reed over a metal frame and features copper eyes and...
Metal, Copper
Sold
H 78.75 in Dm 43.31 in
RARE Mid-century Sculptural Rattan Palm Tree floor Lamp, Mario Torres Lopez
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in grand Lancy, CH
Original late 1960s life-size six-foot-tall palm tree floor lamp sculpted from stick rattan and wicker with removable leaves and 3 coconut-shaped lights attributed to Mario Lopez Tor...
Bamboo, Rattan
Mario Lopez Torres Pig Sculpture, Mexico, 20th Century
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Mario Lopez Torres Pig Sculpture, Mexico, 20th Century.
Copper, Iron
1970s Palm Tree Floor Lamp by Mario Lopez Torres
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Hilversum, NL
This floor lamp, designed by Mario Lopez Torres in the 1970s, adds a touch of tropical charm to any space. Crafted from rattan and wicker, it stands 195 cm tall in the shape of a pal...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Coastal Tropical Monumental Mario Lopez Torres Monkey Console
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
This exceptional console table by Mario Lopez Torres showcases a playful yet sophisticated design. The handwoven monkey base, crafted from natural wicker, features intricate detailin...
Metal
Monumental Elephant Storage Trunk by Mario Lopez Torres
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
Monumental elephant storage trunk and or side table by Mario Lopez Torres with metal pull. Large beautiful piece being one owner purchased in the late 90’s including the elephant room divider...
Bamboo, Rattan
Sold
H 60 in W 74 in D 6 in
Late 20th Century Mario Lopez Torres Elephant Palm Tree Three Panel Screen
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
Exquisite Mario Lopez Torres Elephant Palm Tree three panel screen divider and or Wall hanging in amazing used condition. Free standing three panel screen in an intricate handmade d...
Metal
Antique Mario Lopez Torres Jaguar Stool Iron Structure
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970, we offer this Antique Mario Lopez Torres Jaguar Stool Iron Structure, made in iron. The structure is quite solid and can be used for sittin...
Iron
Mario Lopez Torres Pig Sculpture, Signed c. 1970s
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Mario Lopez Torres Pig Sculpture, Signed, 1970s An exquisite vintage Mario Lopez Torres Pig Sculpture, signed and dated circa 1970s, exudes charm and character. Crafted of woven wic...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 35.5 in W 22.5 in D 22.5 in
Vintage Pair Mario Lopez Torres Heron Bird Table Lamps Woven Rattan Wicker
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Beautiful vintage 1970s Mario Lopez Torres (marked underneath on both lamps) Heron bird table lamps. Woven rattan and brass accents. May have slight variations as these were handmade...
Wicker, Rattan