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Mexican Paper Mache Lion Coffee Table by SerMel Tonala Style Sergio Bustamante

$4,995
£3,842.49
€4,460.03
CA$7,044.14
A$7,890.62
CHF 4,144.44
MX$95,947.46
NOK 52,482.16
SEK 49,819.68
DKK 33,286.96

About the Item

Incredible hand painted and handmade papier mâché lion coffee table in turquoise green by Sermel Tonala Jalisco, Mexico in the style of Sergio Bustamante. It is signed SerMel Tonala Jal, Mexico 91. It is in wonderful vintage condition. It is sturdy but there are some cracks or crazing to the painted finish and some repaired chips but nothing outstanding. Please see photos, circa late 20th century. This. This is epitome of you didn’t know you needed one till you saw it! A papier mâché turquoise green lion coffee table! It is the most amazing coffee table I believe I have even seen. It is comprised of an almost life-size papier mâché lion lying on his back with feet up, mouth wide open, and holding a biomorphic shaped piece of glass. It is hand painted a gorgeous bright turquoise green with a cream-colored detailed face. Signed SerMel Tonala Jal, Mexico 91 letting us know it was made at the SerMel workshop in Tonala, Jalisco, Mexico and, we believe, made in 1991. We have seen a few attributed to Bustamante but none are signed by him. They too only have the SerMel signature. And we have seen a few that say they were made circa 1970s but this one clearly has a 91 on it. And by that time Sergio Bustamante was no longer at the SerMel workshop he helped to establish. Hence the “in the style” determination. No matter. This lion is amazing no matter the artist! The SerMel Workshop was founded in 1963 by Sergio Bustamante and Melquiades Preciado in Tonala, Jalisco, Mexico. The workshop’s name was created from the combination of the first three letter of each of their names, Ser-Mel. Their original artwork was immediately recognized in Mexico and around the world and garnered awards. By the end of the 1970s Bustamante left the workshop and went out on his own. The workshop was left in the hands of Melquiades and his brothers Luis and Fausto. Melquiades was the mayor of Tonala and the president of the state’s House of Folk Art. He dedicated his life to the Community and to promoting Jalisco’s crafts. Melquiades passed in 1992 but the SerMel Workshop continued production under the leadership of his brothers and their children until October 2013. This table is a phenomenal work of art and the most unique piece of furniture I’ve run across in a very long time. You need to make it yours! Table size: O/A height 20 inches Glass tabletop height 14.5 inches O/A width 54 inches O/A depth 23 inches Lion base size 20 H x 48 L x 27 D inches Glass size 43 H x 34.5 L x 3/8 W inches Base weight 18.4 pounds Glass weight 19.7 pounds Total weight 38.2 pounds Crated size: Height 32 inches Width 49 inches Depth 40 inches Weight 170 pounds.
  • Similar to:
    Sergio Bustamante (Designer)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 20 in (50.8 cm)Width: 54 in (137.16 cm)Depth: 23 in (58.42 cm)
  • Style:
    Folk Art (In the Style Of)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1990s
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. It is in wonderful vintage condition. It is sturdy but there are some cracks to the painted finish and some repaired chips but nothing outstanding. Please see photos. Circa Late 20th century.
  • Seller Location:
    Topeka, KS
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 414-TBL-1801stDibs: LU1873318523502

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