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.
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
Mario Torres Lopes Rattan Pig Sculpture
By Mario Torres
Located in Miami, FL
Mario Torres Lopes Rattan Pig Sculpture
Brass
$2,200
H 13 in W 22 in D 7.25 in
American Midcentury Folk Art Style Carved Pine Pig Sculpture, circa 1950
Located in Atlanta, GA
An American Midcentury carved pine pig sculpture, notable for its warm, natural finish and endearing folk-art style. Measuring 22 inches in length, this solid pine figure is hand-sha...
Pine
Folk Art Carved Wooden Pig Sculpture with Patinated Finish
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderfully characterful hand-carved wooden pig, executed in a bold, rustic folk art style. The form is simplified yet expressive, with sturdy legs, a gently lowered head, and a so...
Metal
Vintage MCM Stoneware Pig Sculpture by Alfaraz
By Alfaraz
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage MCM stoneware pig sculpture by Alfaraz of Spain, circa 1970s. The piece is in good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and a wonderful patina; it measures 8"W x 4.25"D ...
Stoneware
Spanish Mid-Century Bronze Wild Boar Sculpture, 1950s
Located in Madrid, ES
An extraordinary Spanish bronze sculpture from the 1950s, depicting a powerful wild boar in a bold and lifelike stance. Executed with remarkable detail, the piece captures the animal...
Bronze
Spanish Mid-Century Bronze Wild Boar Sculpture, 1950s
Located in Madrid, ES
A striking Spanish bronze sculpture from the 1950s, depicting a wild boar with remarkable realism and presence. The artist captured the animal’s strength and vitality through finely ...
Bronze
Petite Vintage Hand-Dyed Leather Pig After Dmitiri Omersa
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage leather pig reminiscent of Dimitri Omersa's early 20th Century designs for retailers, Abercrombie and Fitch and Liberty (ca. 1960s). The leather was hand-stained/dyed to crea...
Leather
$1,163
H 4.73 in W 7.88 in D 2.76 in
Bronze Pig Sculpture by Pierre Chenet, Humorous French Art, Circa 2000
By Chenet
Located in London, England
Pierre Chenet, a French master founder, has been able to make a place for himself in the world of bronze sculpture thanks to his bold and emblematic creations. Among these, the pig, ...
Bronze
$458
H 18.12 in W 17.72 in D 11.03 in
Woven Rattan Frog Magazine Holder Basket in the Style of Mario Lopez Torres
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This unique woven rattan frog-shaped basket serves as a charming magazine holder, bringing a playful touch of whimsy to any space. Crafted with intricate wickerwork, this frog design...
Wicker, Rattan
English Lead Pig Garden Ornament, circa 1950s
Located in St. Louis, MO
Large English lead pig garden ornament / sculpture, circa 1950s. Very heavy.
Lead
Mid-Century Modern Italian White Glazed Terracotta Boar Statue or Sculpture
By Bitossi, Raymor
Located in St. Louis, MO
Mid-Century Modern Italian white glazed terracotta wild boar statue in the style Aldo Londi Bitossi for Raymor. Statue is free of repairs, signed with arti...
Terracotta
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
Donald Drum Style MCM 1960s Cast Aluminum Brutalist Exotic Wild Beast Sculpture
By Bruce Fox, Donald Drumm
Located in St. Louis, MO
Large Mid-Century Modern Donald Drum style cast aluminum brutalist exotic African wild beast sculpture on base. Also after Bruce Fox designs. In fine cond...
Aluminum
Mid-Century Arne Tjomsland Style Carved Cedar Bear Cub Sculpture - Cerd Canada
By Arne Tjomsland
Located in St. Louis, MO
Mid-Century - in the style of Arne Tjomsland - Norway, hand carved bear cub figure sculpture made from cedar and artist signed CERD Canada. Light scuffs, water stain.
Cedar
Large 1970s Hand Carved Wooden Elephant - Side, Occasional Table or Stool
By Maitland Smith
Located in St. Louis, MO
Circa 1970s large vintage elephant sculpture carved from a solid piece of wood, has many uses as a side, end or occasional table, plant stan...
Wood
