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.
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
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
Parrot Floor Lamp By Mario Lopez Torres
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Miami, FL
Parrot Floor lamp by Mario Lopez Torres
Rattan
$1,417Sale Price|20% Off
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
$4,441 / item
H 82.68 in W 47.25 in D 47.25 in
Large Rattan Palm Tree Floor Light, with Three Bulbs in the Coconuts
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in London, GB
A large rattan palm tree floor light, with bulbs in the three coconuts in the style of Mario Lopez Torres.
Rattan
Midcentury Floor Lamp, 1970s
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia - Made of metal - Fully functional - 1x E26 or E27 socket - Good, original condition.
Metal
1970s Lightolier floor lamp
By Lightolier
Located in Montréal, QC
Lightolier floor lamp, 1970s. Enameled composite metal head, chromed steel stem, enameled steel foot. 40 to 60 watt E-26 Edison medium base incandescent bulb or higher if LED/CFL. ...
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
$3,297Sale Price|40% Off
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
Midcentury Sconce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian wall lights with opaline cone shaped glass diffusers mounted on brass frames, in the style of Stilnovo / Made in Italy, circa 1950s Measures: height 11.5 inches, wid...
Brass
$3,071 / 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
Lightolier, Floor Lamp
By Lightolier, Gerald Thurston
Located in San Francisco, CA
Gerald Thurston floor lamp by Lightolier. Features a brass and walnut base and a perforated brass shade. Measures: 17" diameter x 64.5" height.
Brass
$10,249
H 92.52 in W 35.44 in D 31.5 in
Very Large Bamboo and Rattan Palm Tree Floor Lamp with Seven Coconut Lights
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in London, GB
A stunning very large, bamboo and rattan 3 stemmed palm tree floor lamp in the style of Mario Lopez Torres with seven coconut lights at differing heights below bamboo leaves. Re wire...
Bamboo, Rattan
Mario Botta for Artemide ‘Shogun’ Floor Lamp
By Artemide, Mario Botta
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Botta for Artemide, 'Shogun' floor lamp, aluminum, steel, Italy, 1986 Mario Botta referred to lamps as “people”. He said: "Shogun is a person. He has a head, body and feet, ...
Aluminum, Steel
Rattan and Wicker Palm Tree Floor Lamp, 1970s United States
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beachy floor lamp of a Palm tree. Just under 7 feet tall. Made of rattan and wicker. Three wicker coconuts each contain a socket/light inside. Coconuts swivel. Natural color palm lea...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
1970s Floor lamp , Hungary
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition with minor signs of use - In working order - E26-E27bulb - US wiring compatible
Chrome
Floor Lamp, 1970s
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Vintage floor lamp Style: industrial Production: 1970s Country of manufacturer: Switzerland Condition: original vintage condition.
Aluminum, Chrome
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
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
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
Parrot & Toucan Wicker Table Lamp by Mario Lopez Torres
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in San Diego, CA
A rare and fun parrot and toucan wicker table lamp by Mario Lopez Torres, circa 1970s. The lamp is in great vintage condition with two removable, handmade wicker birds with brass bea...
Metal
Parakeet Wall Light by Mario Lopez Torres
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Hastings, GB
A beautiful hand woven chuspata wall light by Mario Lopez Torres, in the form of a parakeet perched on the side of a woven basket. Torres works are much sought after by interior designers across the globe, and these original vintage pieces are particularly hard to find, this light dates to the 1980s. The metal shows signs of age related patina and there is a loss of the chuspata wrap on the mounting bracket, but this is hidden within the light so is not visible when on the wall. It has been fully rewired and fitted with a new single e14 lamp holder. The lamp has been fitted with a plug in lead, this could be shortened if you wished to have it hard wired in, so it can be used as either a plug in light...
Metal
Sold
H 80.32 in W 33.47 in D 23.63 in
Rattan Palm Tree Floor Lamp by Mario Lopez Torres, Mexico, c.1970
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A wonderful mid 20th century palm tree floor lamp with woven coconut shades. This impressive floor light was designed by the Mexican artist Mario Lopez Torres who was well known for ...
Wicker, Rattan
Bamboo Palm Floor Lamp - circa 1980
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Saint ouen, FR
bamboo palm floor lamp circa 1980 Dimensions : h 115 x w 95 x p 86cm Ref : 4393/13 In very good condition
Bamboo
Rattan Palm Floor Lamp, Mario Lopez Torres
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Rattan palm floor lamp, Mario Lopez Torres Rattan palm tree floor lamp, Mario Lopez Torres (Mexican), 70s, 3 "coconut" lamps. Measures: H: 190...
Rattan
Contemporary Mario Lopez Torres Woven Rattan Macaw Floor Lamp
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Toronto, ON
A beautiful large Macaw floor lamp constructed with a metal frame and expertly woven natural rattan. This floor lamp feature a macaw parrot with pressed brass face and beak. Labeled ...
Steel, Brass
Contemporary Mario Lopez Torres Woven Rattan Monkey Chandelier with Palm Leaves
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Toronto, ON
A whimsical Mario Lopez Torres monkey or Chimpanzee chandelier, constructed with a metal frame and expertly woven natural rattan. This chande...
Steel, Brass
Contemporary Mario Lopez Torres Pair of Woven Rattan Crane Table Lamps
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Toronto, ON
A contemporary pair of Mario Torres large crane table lamps, constructed with a metal frame and expertly hand woven natural rattan. Cranes feature pressed...
Steel
Early Mario Lopez Torres Macaw Floor Lamp
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970. We offer this exceptional floor lamp by the highly acclaimed Mexican artist and sculptor Mario Lopez Torres, the enormous metal frame and chuspata woven design stands at ...
Iron