I'm In Love (With A Flamingo)!!!
LOVE at first site! Mario Lopez Torres-Vintage Flamingo Lamp
So…in all honesty, I have a thing for birds. Most all birds but especially FLAMINGOS! I mean, what’s not to love about flamingos? They are so graceful & such a gorgeous color, right? You typically see them in groups (flamboyance) so they make quiet the color splash.
Flamingo’s symbolism & meaning include: beauty, balance, potential and romance. In some cultures, pink flamingos are seen as a symbol of good luck. Who can’t use more of ALL of those things?
The flamingo I’m referring to (my flamingo, that I’m in love with) happens to be a vintage flamingo from 1974. That’s right! My flamingo is handmade by a true artisan. SHE (because, duh) has been meticulously cared for over all these years. She is pristine and she makes me very, very happy! I just need to give her a glance and she makes me smile. She’s rattan with a copper beak & eyes and black metal feet. She’s perfection!
Did I mention that she’s also a lamp with a palm tree lamp shade? Entirely made of rattan, black metal (feet) , brass and copper? A vintage rattan lamp? In PERFECT condition!
The artisan who created this original thing of beauty is none other than, Mario Lopez Torres. Mr. Mario Lopez Torres was born in 1952 in Mexico City, Mexico. At the age of 13, he entered a school of fine arts. When he was 20 years old, he went to Altepeje/Puebla to study weaving techniques and began to experiment with metal frames. He then went to the United States to acquire welding equipment & other special tools he needed.
In 1973 he visited the renowned artists Ana Pelicer & James Metcalf and became a student of the couple for a season in metal handling techniques. With that education, he set up his own craft workshop & began to combine the craft of wire structure art with traditional work of chuspata weaving (a vegetable fiber that grows abundantly on the banks of lakes).
Slowly, Mario’s workshop evolved thanks to his colleagues. Mario’s innovative creations attracted a lot of attention among international designers and continues to do so to this day.
Mario continues to apply new designs & techniques. He continues to contribute to inspiring a considerable number of artisans & scholars to find & cultivate their own creativity.
ALL decked out for the holidays! Pic via: Scarlett of SPRUCE
Mario Lopez Torres is a Mexican furniture designer and artist. He has been creating in one way or the other since childhood. In his young years his hobbies included: drawing, modeling with clay and engraving. He also was the apprentice of his professional photographer father.
Mario sold his first piece of furniture in 1974. All pieces are still made today in Mario’s studio in the mountains outside of Guadalajara Mexico at 7000 feet.
I continue to collect these MLT beauties for myself. I’m always searching & researching. I keep a running list for particular clients for pieces they are looking for as well. These pieces include mind blowing MLT chandeliers, sconces, tables, mirrors, palm trees, trunks, big & small accent pieces. ALL absolute works of ART!
I will never part with my gorgeous flamingo or any other MLT items in my personal collection but I am happy to find pieces for my clients “out in the wild” and of course at the famous MLT resellers scattered around the world. If you have any pieces you’d like to sell or run across any that I should know about…please contact me. I’ll for sure have a look & consider if authenticated & in good condition.
Thank you Mr. Mario Lopez Torres for your AMAZING CREATIONS!
Happy Sprucing!
~Scarlett