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.
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
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 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
Vintage Netsuke Soapstone Figure Pig
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful small Pig figurine. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Made probably of soapstone or resin. A beautiful nice desktop item or j...
Soapstone
Mid-Century Modern Mexican Petite Pitcher by Los Castillo
By Los Castillo
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960. We offer this Mid-Century Modern Mexican Petite Pitcher sporting an amazing handle in a bird motif by Los Castillo Taxco México. The pitcher Marked Los Castillo Taxco Mex...
Precious Stone
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
Large Wicker Pig Sculpture designed by M.Lopez Torres
Located in Antwerp, BE
A decorative, life-size sculpture of a pig made of wire and rattan. An attractive sculpture for your display or living room setting. Designed by M. Lopez Torres in his own craft work...
Metal
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
Large Mid Century French Glazed Ceramic Pig Figurine
Located in Stamford, CT
A large-sized Mid-century white glazed ceramic figure representing a naturalistic pig. Finely detailed with glass eyes. France, circa 1940s. This is a great looking pig with a nice f...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Modern Monkey Ape Rattan Wicker Hanging Figure 1970s, France
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Offered is a 1970s Vintage Boho Figurative Animalia Wicker Rattan Monkey ape hanging figure in the style of Mario Lopez Torres. This French Animalia vintage 1960s-1970s woven wicker...
Wicker
19th Century Rare French Majolica Pig Pitcher Delphin Massier
By Delphin Massier
Located in Austin, TX
Very Large 19th Century Rare French Majolica Pig Pitcher signed Delphin Massier. Height / 10.2 inches.
Ceramic
Old Iron Turtle
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
For your consideration, fleurdetroit presents this fun iron turtle from the early days of the twentieth century. This folk art turtle can be at home in...
Wrought Iron
Painted Plaster "Construction Worker" by Beverly Lopez
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Anatomical tour de force by multidisciplinary American artist Beverly Lopez. The cut off and construction boot wearing male figure stands 24" high, and stands on a 5" block with plaq...
Plaster
Vintage Art Glass Turtle Sculpture by Murano Glass
Located in San Diego, CA
A wonderful vintage art glass turtle sculpture by Murano Glass, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition and measures 4.75"W x 2.75"D x 2"H. Original "Murano - Made ...
Art Glass
Vintage French Outdoor Weathered Stone Turtle
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate an outside front door or a backyard with this elegant "Tortue" (French for turtle). Crafted in southern France and made of cast stone, the heavy tortoise is set on its flat ...
Cast Stone
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
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
Vintage Chihuahua Pull Toy by Mario Lopez Torres, Rare
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in San Diego, CA
A very rare and fun vintage Chihuahua pull toy / sculpture by Mario Lopez Torres, circa 1974. The piece is in great vintage condition and measures 8"...
Metal
Small Elephant Trunk by Mario Lopez Torres
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Currently these pieces are still produced, however, this piece was one of the first in the mid-seventies, that is why it shows a certain degree of wear due to being a vintage piece, ...
Copper, Iron
Sold
H 15.75 in W 31.5 in D 11.5 in
Original Mario Lopez Torres Large Wicker Pig Sculpture Signed, Mexico
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in St. Louis, MO
Rarely seen and highly sought after Mario Lopez Torres wicker pig sculpture. Wicker woven over iron frame, copper eyes and iron tail. Signed and dated on a ...
Copper, Iron
Pair of Mario Torres Cockatoo Table Lamps
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Mario Torres table lamps depicting cockatoos perched on a branch with brass and copper beaks and copper eyes. Constructed of a metal frame tightly wrapped in wicker or reed w...
Reed
Mario Torres Flamingo Floor Lamp
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Mario Torres Flamingo floor lamp striking a familiar one legged pose. Constructed of a metal frame wrapped in wicker or reed. Featuring brass beaks...
Reed
Pair of Mario Torres Rooster Table Lamps & Wicker Turtle
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of whimsical Mario Torres Rooster table lamps constructed of a metal frame tightly wrapped in wicker or reed and wicker turtle.
Reed
Vintage 1970s Handmade Woven Rattan Monkey Table Lamp
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in San Antonio, TX
This handmade woven rattan monkey lamp is in overall good condition. Brass details. Minor losses. See photos, circa 1970s, Mexico. Dimensions: 20.5" d...
Brass
Pair of Mario Torres Cockatoo Table Lamps
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Mario Torres table lamps depicting cockatoos perched on a branch with brass and copper beaks and copper eyes. Constructed of a metal frame tightly wrapped in wicker or reed w...
Reed
Pair of Mario Torres Rooster Table Lamps
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of whimsical Mario Torres Rooster table lamps constructed of a metal frame tightly wrapped in wicker or reed. These lamps feature brass heads w...
Reed
Large Mario Torres Giraffe Bar
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Midcentury giraffe bar with an amusing form and expertly crafted wicker exterior over a metal frame. Featuring a hinged door that opens to storage and serv...
Reed