Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
American, 1919-1990
If it weren’t for his honeymoon, American furniture designer Don S. Shoemaker might not have played any role in Mexican modernism of the mid-20th century.
Born in Nebraska in 1919, Shoemaker studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago during the 1930s. In the 1940s he got married, and he and his wife, Barbara, ventured to Mexico for their honeymoon. Enamored with the country, Shoemaker decided that Mexico should become the newlyweds' permanent home. They settled in a town called Santa Maria de Guido in Michoacán, where Shoemaker spent his days painting and growing rare plants.
Through horticulture, Shoemaker became inspired by Mexico’s tropical woods, such as cocobolo, a Mexican rosewood, and he decided to delve into furniture design. In the late 1950s, he started a small factory, producing hand-carved desks, armchairs, dining room tables, decorative boxes and bowls, and serveware. The popularity of Shoemaker’s furnishings grew throughout Mexico, and his small factory became the Señal S.A. company, employing more than 100 skilled artisans and carpenters.
Shoemaker’s handcrafted designs were essentially a mid-century modern interpretation of traditional Mexican household furnishings, and like Clara Porset — an unsung Cuban-born activist, writer and designer who drew on Mexican craft traditions in her concepts for furniture — he found inspiration from his adopted country. These influences can be seen in iconic Shoemaker originals like the Sling collection of seating, the Suspension stool and several of his table designs.
Shoemaker's furniture was exhibited in showrooms in several major Mexican cities and across the U.S., including Houston, Chicago, and Los Angeles. (And mid-century modernist ideas that traveled between Mexico and California didn’t make one-way trips — they bounced back and forth.)
After Shoemaker died in 1990, his son George took over Señal S.A. The company closed after George’s death in the early 2000s.
Shoemaker’s Mexican modern furnishings continue to be coveted by avid furniture collectors around the world. From 2016 to 2017, the Museum of Modern Art in Mexico City dedicated a retrospective exhibition to honoring his work.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage Don S. Shoemaker desks, seating, decorative objects and serveware.
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Creator: Don S. Shoemaker
Don Shoemaker for Señal Bookends in Solid Cocobolo
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of solid wood bookends by Mexican-American designer Don Shoemaker for his company, Señal. Rendered in highly figured cocobolo wood, a species of local tropical wood similar to...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Cocobolo
Mexican Modern, Rectangular coffee table, 1960's Don S. Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Uccle, BE
Label: Señal S.A.Hecho en Mexico.
Cocobolo wood and black leather mid-century modern coffee table from the sixties. The leather has a beautiful sensual feel and is in excellent cond...
Category
20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Leather, Cocobolo
Mexican Modern, Don S Shoemaker, Sling Swinger chair with footstool, 1960's
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Uccle, BE
Iconic Don S. Shoemaker Sling Swinger chair with footrest. Made from cocobolo (Mexican rosewood) and black leather in the 1960s. The biomorphic lines of the exotic rosewood create an...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Leather, Cocobolo
Mexican Modern Leather and cocobolo Magazine rack, Don S. Shoemaker, 1960's
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Uccle, BE
Label: Señal S.A.Hecho en Mexico.
Cocobolo wood and black leather mid-century modern magazine rack from the sixties. The leather has a beautiful sensual feel and is in excellent con...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Leather, Cocobolo
Pair of Don Shoemaker for Senal Sling Chairs
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A quite lovely pair of Don Shoemaker sling chairs for his firm Senal from the 1960's. This pair is made of a Mexican Rosewood, Cocobolo I believe. The pair has beautiful graining and...
Category
1960s Mexican Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
Don Shoemaker Sloucher Rosewood & Leather Sling Chairs for Señal, S.A., 1960s
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Cedar Falls, IA
For your consideration, a pair of 1960s Don Shoemaker Sloucher lounge chairs, in solid cocobolo rosewood and black leather. Iconic example of Organic, Mexican Mid-Century Modern desi...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Leather, Rosewood, Cocobolo
Don Shoemaker Decorative Tray for Señal
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Serving tray by Don Shoemaker for Senal of Mexico. The tray has a dark rosewood frame with integrated handles at either end, and the tray surface is inlaid with precious wood veneer ...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Mid-Century Mexican Modern Don Shoemaker Senal SA Sling Swinger Chairs Set of 4
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Forney, TX
A magnificent set of four rare original Mid-Century Modern Mexican bocote wood and black leather "Swingers" by legendary designer Don S. Shoemaker (1919-1990)
This iconic Modernist ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
Don Shoemaker Geometric Marquetry Decorative Tray for Señal
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rosewood serving tray by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal in the 1960s. The surface of the tray has a repeating geometric linear marquetry pattern in a gradient of local Mexican...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Serving Tray
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Born in Nebraska, Don S. Shoemaker studied painting at The Fine Arts Institution of Chicago. In the late 1940s, he moved to Mexico with his family and settled in Santa Maria de Guido...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Wood
Set of 2 Candlesticks by Don Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Born in Nebraska, Don S. Shoemaker studied painting at The Fine Arts Institution of Chicago. In the late 1940s, he moved to Mexico with his family and settled in Santa Maria de Guido...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Scandinavian Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Don Shoemaker Bookends for Señal
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Born in Nebraska, Don S. Shoemaker studied painting at The Fine Arts Institution of Chicago. In the late 1940s, he moved to Mexico with his family and settled in Santa Maria de Guido...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Rosewood and leather lounge Chair and Ottoman Don Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Atlanta, GA
Crafted in beautiful rosewood, the lounge chair and ottoman was an iconic design by Don Shoemaker for Senal. The chair with a rocking seat and the folding ottoman...
Category
1970s Mexican Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Geometric Marquetry Decorative Tray for Señal
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rosewood serving tray by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal in the 1960s. The surface of the tray has a repeating geometric marquetry pattern in a gradient of local Mexican hardwo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Wood Inlaid Chevron Pattern Cutting Board for Señal
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cutting board by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal in the 1960s. The surface of the board has a repeating chevron marquetry pattern in a gradient of local Mexican hardwoods that ca...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Rosewood, Cocobolo
Don Shoemaker Geometric Marquetry Decorative Tray for Señal
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rosewood serving tray by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal in the 1960s. The surface of the tray has a repeating geometric marquetry pattern in a gradient of local Mexican hardwo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Petite Hinged Lid Box for Señal
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rectangular Cocobolo box by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal, c.1960s, Mexico. Shoemaker is known for his use of exotic Mexican hardwoods and this hinged lid box is a beautiful ex...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Cocobolo
Don Shoemaker Mixed Woods Trinket Box Circa 1960s
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Peabody, MA
Mixed woods trinket box, including rosewood and Mexican hardwoods such as jacaranda and cocobolo, by Don Shoemaker, Mexico, circa 1960s.
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Jacaranda, Rosewood, Cocobolo
1960s Bronze Candle Holder Exotic Wood Don Shoemaker Mexico
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Fascinating piece Don Shoemaker Votive Candleholder Mexico 1960s
Bronze & Exotic Cocobolo Wood.
Fine Mexican Modernism
Original Preowned Vintage Unrestored...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Don Shoemaker for Señal Geometric Marquetry Tray with Stand
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Serving tray and stand by Don Shoemaker for Senal of Mexico. The tray has a dark rosewood frame with integrated handles at either end, and the tray surface is inlaid with precious wo...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Modern Don Shoemaker Sling Chair for Senal
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Tulsa, OK
Modern Don Shoemaker Sling Chair for Senal
Above average vintage condition and structurally sound. Has some expected slight finish wear and scratching. Has a couple small dings and...
Category
20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
Pair of rare 1950's Rosewood & Leather Sling Chairs by Don Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in San Diego, CA
A unique and beautiful pair of solid rosewood chairs, designed by Don Shoemaker Mexican Modernism, circa 1950s freshly restored great condition nice leather and wood refinished.
Category
20th Century Mexican Bohemian Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
Don Shoemaker for Señal Diamond Geometric Marquetry Tray
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Serving tray by Don Shoemaker for Senal of Mexico. The tray has a dark rosewood frame with integrated handles at either end, and the tray surfa...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Mexican Modern Don Shoemaker Wood Trays
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in San Diego, CA
Set of four serving trays or plates by Mexican Modernist Don Shoemaker, from his workshop in Señal Mexico.
Designer Don Shoemaker ( was born in Nebraska and studied at the Art Inst...
Category
1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Wood
Mexican Modern Don Shoemaker Inlaid Wall Mount Bar Tray
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in San Diego, CA
Tray by Mexican Modernist Don Shoemaker, from his workshop in Señal Mexico. Beautiful geometric inlaid marquetry of mixed exotic woods. Can be mounted on the wall.
Designer Don Sho...
Category
1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Wood
Don S. Shoemaker Multi-Wood Decorative Tray for Señal Furniture
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Wood, Mahogany, Rosewood
Don Shoemaker for Señal Marquetry Paper Tray
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cocobolo paper tray with geometric pattern by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal, c.1960s, Mexico. Shoemaker is known for the marquetry in his work, which is clearly visible in the ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Cocobolo, Rosewood
1970s Don Shoemaker for Señal Carved Root Wood Box Mexico
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Free form lidded box designer Don Shoemaker Mexico
Retains original label Señal
Cocobolo root wood
6.5 h x 4 d x 10 w
Original vintage unrestored condition.
Expect signs of vin...
Category
1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Cocobolo, Wood
Don Shoemaker Spice Rack for Señal SA
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
In theory, this piece was part of a set of kitchen spice racks, the lid is missing, it can be used as a storage for pens or a sweet bowl
Born in Nebraska, Don S. Shoemaker studied p...
Category
1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
1970s Don Shoemaker Service Tray Exotic Wood Señal Mexico
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Designed by Don Shoemaker produced by Señal Mexico
Midcentury Service Tray wall decor in exotic woods
Cut out handle for easy carry.
21.75 long 8.25 w x 1.75 h
More trays are a...
Category
Late 20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Wood
Don Shoemaker "Sling Sloucher" Chair
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Oakland, CA
1960s Don Shoemaker "Sling Sloucher" chair. Shoemaker was an American expat living in Mexico who was inspired to create modern versions of traditional Mexican furniture designs. A...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Leather, Cocobolo
Don Shoemaker Cocobolo Pencil Holder for Señal, Mexico, 1980s
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Don Shoemaker Cocobolo Pencil Holder for Señal, Mexico, 1980s. Makers label to the bottom.
Category
20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Wood, Cocobolo
Headboard by Don Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970. We offer this headboard designed by Don Shoemaker. Made in cocobolo wood.
Category
1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Wood
Don Shoemaker Midcentury Organic Jacaranda Wood Jewelry Box
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury Rustic organic form jacaranda wood jewelry box with a bark exterior, and single drawer with wooden pull. (DON SHOEMAKER).
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Wood
1950s Don Shoemaker Scissor Sling Folding Armchair & Foot Stool Mexico
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1950s Don Shoemaker Scissor Sling Folding Armchair & Foot Stool
Handcrafted in Mexico.
Vintage folding chair cocobolo rosewood frame black leather seat and coordinating foot stool o...
Category
1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Leather, Cocobolo
Expertly Restored - Don S. Shoemaker Rosewood Oval Tray for Señal Furniture
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Wood
Don Shoemaker Sculpted Rosewood & Leather Coffee Table for Señal Furniture
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Leather, Rosewood, Cocobolo
Don Shoemaker Interlocking Salt and Pepper Sets for Senal
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in McKinney, TX
Exquisitely crafted interlocking salt and pepper sets designed by Don Shoemaker for Sen~al of Mexico. Taking advantage of the expertise provided by Mexican artisans, Shoemaker founde...
Category
1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Folding Lounge Chairs, Mexico c.1960
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Price is per chair. Four available.
Original folding lounge chairs designed by Don Shoemaker for Senal SA. The chairs are made out of Cocobolo Rosewood and upholstered in the original black leather with decorative leather pins on the top and sides. The seats can adjust to four different positions and it can be folded flat to store away. Armrests fold up. Two chairs retain the original labels.
CREATOR Don Shoemaker for Senal S.A., Mexico.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1960.
MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Leather, Cocobolo Rosewood.
CONDITION Good. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor wear on the leather seats. One chair is missing two leather pins on the side and one chair is missing one on the side. Some fading of finish on all.
DIMENSIONS H 36.5 in. W 23.5 in. D 23 in.
HISTORY
The chair was produced by Don Shoemaker furniture factory in Santa Maria Guido, Morelia Michoacan in the 1960's, the plant closed in the early 2000's after George Shoemaker...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Rosewood, Teak
Rare Chair Hand Painted by Mexican Mid-Century Modernist Don Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare an amazing chair hand painted designed by Don Shoemaker, circa 1960, includes
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Wood, Pine
Don Shoemaker Interlocking Salt and Pepper Sets for Senal
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in McKinney, TX
Exquisitely crafted interlocking salt and pepper sets designed by Don Shoemaker for Sen~al of Mexico. Taking advantage of the expertise provided by Mexican artisans, Shoemaker founde...
Category
1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Midcentury Lounge Chair in Rosewood & Leather by Don Shoemaker, 1960s
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Detroit, MI
This vintage Mid-Century Modern armchair was designed in the 1950s by Don Shoemaker and produced by Señal, S.A., Mexico circa 1960. A leading midcentury Mexican modernist, Shoemaker’...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Cocobolo, Leather, Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Sling Sloucher Chairs Señal, Sculptural and Organic, Mexico
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Santa Gertrudis, Baleares
Don S. Shoemaker (1919-1990) was a US (NE) born Mexican designer and painter, probably the most representative designer of Mexico Modernist furniture...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
Don Shoemaker for Senal S.A. Cocobolo Rosewood 'Swinger' Rocking Chair, Signed
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Named the 'Swinger Chair' for its pivoting mechanism that allows you to swing in your seat, this incredible cocobolo rosewood and black leather 'Swinger' rocking armchair by leading 1960s modernist designer Don Shoemaker for Senal S.A. (Mexico) is highly sought after by interior designers and avid collectors alike.
The thick black leather hides used for the sling are complemented with leather buttons connecting the sling to the frame of the chair. Matching black leather removable seat cushion has beautiful patina as can be seen in the photos. Artistically sculpted exotic cocobolo rosewood put together in an eye catching and interesting biomorphic form with shoemaker's signature rosewood insert accents for the feet and upper back of the chair. Exceptional craftsmanship utilizing innovative links and joints. Metal brackets connecting the seat to the frame allow the chair to gently rock - consider this as a nursing chair for the design-centric home. Senal S.A. label on lower bar of chair.
Mexican modern is a style that fits incredibly well with Mid-Century Modern, Scandanavian or Danish Modern, Brazilian Modern, and Hollywood Regency. It is also a great addition for interior designers to turn an otherwise simple contemporary space and add a splash of wild and interesting.
Whether you are designing a Mid-Century Modern home, contemporary, post-modern or french neoclassical apartment, this Don Shoemaker Swinger...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
Cocobolo Rosewood Dining Table by Don S. Shoemaker for Señal S.A. of Mexico
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Wanna be a bond villain in real life? Well here's your chance. Certain pieces just command respect and deserve appreciation for their flawless design. "WTF?" is typically the first thing uttered when people see this on our showroom floor. A literal jaw-droppper, regardless of whether installing as a dining table, desk or conference table. Lovingly restored by our in-house cabinet shop, this cocobolo wood table by Don S. Shoemaker is a rare find. Geometry and brutalism intertwine to form an architectural masterpiece of function and form. Staved slats of offset cocobolo form a brilliant patchwork that covers every visible inch of both the top and bottom sections. The grain and color tones vary in each slat to create a stunning visual contrast throughout.
The pedestal and top separate easily without any screws or bolts. The table top has a grid-work of rails underneath that sink into corresponding notches on the base. The base is brilliantly assembled with a hollow interior to keep the weight to a minimum. This massive construction is surprisingly totable, without compromising rigidity or stability.
Although we're uncertain on the production quantity, the total number is probably quite minuscule. Tagged with its original label and numbered #6 in several locations.
About the designer:
Furniture designer Don Shoemaker was born in Nebraska to an affluent family. During the 1930s, he studied at the Art Institute of Chicago. In the late 1940s, he married and subsequently, on his honeymoon, fell in love with Mexico. He loved the country so much that later in the 1940s, he moved to Mexico with his wife. Shoemaker lived and painted in a town called Santa Maria de Guido, overseeing the City of Morelia in Michoacán.
Don and his wife Barbara lived in harmony with nature, growing many rare plants in their greenhouse. Don became inspired by the tropical woods of Mexico and began to manufacture furniture from these precious timbers. What began as a small factory in the late 1950s became known as Señal S.A and grew to where Don employed more than a hundred skilled artisans. Soon he became an important figure in the economic and cultural life of his adopted town. Señal S.A brought new wealth and an economic boost to the town, and Dom was known for his warm and charitable heart.
The furniture designed for Señal S.A by Don were modern interpretations of traditional Mexican furnishings. Many of his iconic designs were inspired by traditional Mexican woodwork. The pieces made from Cocobolo, a Mexican rosewood, and other precious woods were highly sought after. The furniture was exported to showrooms in Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, and large Mexican cities. His designs were liked very much by wealthy Mexican families...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Rosewood, Cocobolo
Mexican Folding Stool by Don Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Amazing, rare and interesting folding stool, it can be used as magazine rack, circa 1960 and designed by Don Shoemaker, includes original handmade label.
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Pine
Don Shoemaker for Señal Large Decorative Tray with Chevron Stripe
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rosewood serving tray with integrated handles by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal in the 1960s. The surface of the tray has a pixelated chevron-patterned parquet detail in exoti...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Wood, Rosewood, Cocobolo
Don Shoemaker Mexican Modern Cutting Board or Server Tray
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in San Diego, CA
Unused mixed wood cutting board or serving tray by Mexican Modernist Don Shoemaker. Retains original labels from his workshop in Señal Mexico.
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Wood
Don Shoemaker Exotic Wood Tray
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Kalamazoo, MI
Eye-catching 1960s geometric design of tropical hardwoods designed by Don S. Shoemaker and made in Mexico by his company Senal, S.A. Practical and beautiful, this mid-century modern ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Expertly Restored - Don Shoemaker Folding Leather & Rosewood Stool
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Don Shoemaker Folding Leather & Rosewood Stool for Señal Furniture
________________________________________
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing hi...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
1970s Mexico Bar Service Tray Exotic Wood Stripe by Don Shoemaker for Señal
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Designed by Don Shoemaker and produced by Señal Mexico
Midcentury Service Tray medley of exotic woods
Cut out the handle for easy carry.
Tray 8.25 w x 21.75 long x 1.75 d
...
Category
Late 20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Wood
Set of Three Don Shoemaker Cocobolo Block Candle Holders
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of three Don Shoemaker for Señal cocobolo candle holders. The hand carved minimalist rosewood candle holders feature a geometric block design with circular cutout design on each ...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Cocobolo
Don S. Shoemaker 1970's Mexican "Swinger" Cueramo Wood and Leather Chair
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Mexico City, MX
A Mexican 1970's cueramo wood and black leather "Swinger" lounge chair by Don S. Shoemaker. Manufactured by Señal, S.A. workshop in Santa María de Guido, Michoacán. The piece keeps i...
Category
1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
Set of 6 Coasters
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, MX
Made with amazing tropical woods in Michoacán Mexico by Iconic woodmaster and designer Don Shoemaker.
Very practical and refined.
Coming from an affluent family, Don was originally from Nebraska. During the 1930s he studied at the Fine Arts Institute of Chicago thinking to become a painter. Visiting Mexico for his honeymoon he fell in love with the country and he finally decided to move to Mexico in the late 1940s. He lived for a while and painted in San Miguel Allende, Guanajuato, but finally he settled down in a little uphill town called Santa María de Guido, overseeing the city of Morelia, in the state of Michoacán, Mexico.
Don began the manufacture of his furniture in tropical precious woods and other wood products. What started as a little factory in the late 1950s called SEÑAL, S.A., grew to the point where Don employed more than a hundred skilled craftsmen. Soon Shoemaker became an important milestone of the economic and cultural life of his adopted home. SEÑAL, S.A. brought great wealth and economical boost to the village and Don was well known for his good heart and charity projects.
Don S. Shoemaker delivered furniture pieces in to his showrooms in Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston and large cities in Mexico. His designs were very much appreciated by wealthy Mexican families...
Category
1980s Mexican Organic Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Don Shoemaker Sling "Swinger" Chair and Ottoman for Señal, S.A, 1960
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
One set of Swinger chair and ottoman from Don Shoemaker for the iconic Señal, S.A workshop of Mexico. This chair has been refinished and are in excellent condition. The chairs retain...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Leather, Rosewood, Cocobolo
Mexican Modern Lounge Chair, Wood and Leather, 1960's
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Uccle, BE
This is the Sloucher chair made in the 1960's. Leather has been restored. Made of Cocobolo Rosewood.
Don S. Shoemaker (1919 - 1990) was born in Nebraska and studied at the Art Inst...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Leather, Cocobolo
1970s Mexico Bar Service Tray Exotic Wood Stripe by Don Shoemaker for Señal
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Chula Vista, CA
By Don Shoemaker produced by Señal in Mexico 1970s
Elegant midcentury Service Tray rich medley of exotic Woods
Cut out Handle design for easy carry
Measures: 12 D x 20.5 L x 1.5 H...
Category
1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Wood, Cocobolo
Pair of MCM Cocobolo Wood Minimalist Salt & Pepper Shakers by Don Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in San Diego, CA
A goegeous pair of MCM cocobolo wood minimalist interlocking salt & pepper hakers by Don Shoemaker, circa 1970s. The pair were made in Mexico and are in very good vintage condition m...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Cocobolo
Don S. Shoemaker furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Don S. Shoemaker furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Don S. Shoemaker furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Senal, Michael van Beuren, and Pedro Ramirez Vazquez. Prices for Don S. Shoemaker furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $750 and can go as high as $1,200, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $750.
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