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Don S. Shoemaker Armchairs

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 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 Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Don Shoemaker for Senal S.A. Cocobolo Rosewood 'Swinger' Rocking Chair, Signed
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
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 Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Mid-Century Don Shoemaker Accent Chair
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This vintage sculpted frame armchair by designer Don Shoemaker makes an interesting addition to any interior. One of the most well-known designers of the Mexican-Modernism movement, ...
Category

1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Armchairs

Materials

Walnut

Sculptural Cocobolo Rosewood Leather Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Don Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-Century Modern leather sling lounge chair and ottoman designed by Don Shoemaker in cocobolo rosewood manufactured by Senal S.A., Mexico. This sculptural set features flowing rose...
Category

1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Armchairs

Materials

Rosewood, Leather

Pair of 1960s Folding Armchairs by Don Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in London, GB
In Cocobolo wood, with original black leather seat and chair back, circa 1965.
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Armchairs

Materials

Leather

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Don Shoemaker for Senal S.A. Cocobolo Rosewood Swinger Chair and Ottoman, Signed
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Named the 'Swinger Chair' for its pivoting mechanism that allows you to swing in your seat, this incredible Cocobolo Rosewood and black leather 'Swinger' chair with matching ottoman by leading 1960s modernist designer Don Shoemaker for Senal S.A. (Mexico) are highly sought after by interior designers and avid collectors alike. 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. The gorgeous and thick black leather hides used for the removable seat cushions and the seat back sling are complemented with leather buttons connecting the sling to the frame of the chair. 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. The removable ottoman seat floats on top of cording giving this pair and incredible and unique styling making it appear as if it was floating on air. Signed with the Patent Label ("PAT. 207,952 U.S.A.") on the chair which corresponds to the US Patent office image in the photo gallery. We also have another large set of Swinger armchairs, if you are looking to make a pair or a set of 4, and we also have other Don Shoemaker items in stock including the Sloucher lounge chairs, the super rare Dining Table, trays and accessories, and more, contact us for our current selection of Don Shoemaker for Senal SA...
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Don Shoemaker Sling Folding Armchair
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Don Shoemaker Sling Folding Armchair
Don Shoemaker Sling Folding Armchair
H 32.29 in W 24.41 in D 24.41 in
1970s Pair of "Perno Chairs" Design by Don Shoemaker
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1970s pair of "Perno Chairs" design by Don Shoemaker in Michoacan Mexico Made of beautiful solid tropical wood. All original. No glue or nails or screws ...
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1970s Pair of "Perno Chairs" Design by Don Shoemaker
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1970s pair of "Perno Chairs" design by Don Shoemaker in Michoacan Mexico Made of beautiful solid tropical wood. All original. No glue or nails or screws ...
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Swinger Chair by Don S. Shoemaker
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Original design by Don S. Shoemaker, made in Santa María de Guido, Michoacán, Méx. In the same designer's workshop and supervised by his grandson Stanley Shoemaker, the chairs are se...
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2010s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Armchairs

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Swinger Chair by Don S. Shoemaker
Swinger Chair by Don S. Shoemaker
H 32.29 in W 29.53 in D 27.56 in
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. This example is particularly perfect for the discriminating collector - read further below under Condition notes for more detail on why. The thick black leather hides used for the removable seat cushions and the seat back sling are complemented with leather buttons connecting the sling to the frame of the chair. 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 and this particular example has greater vivid detail to the wood grain - a truly exceptional example and wildly beautiful. 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...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Armchairs

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Leather, Rosewood

Don S. Shoemaker armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Don S. Shoemaker armchairs 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 armchairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original armchairs by Don S. Shoemaker were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider armchairs by and Senal. Prices for Don S. Shoemaker armchairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,330 and can go as high as $6,194, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,488.

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