Votive Candle Holder Exotic Cocobolo & Bronze Don Shoemaker Mexican Modern 1960s
View Similar Items
Votive Candle Holder Exotic Cocobolo & Bronze Don Shoemaker Mexican Modern 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:Don S. Shoemaker (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 12 in (30.48 cm)Diameter: 6 in (15.24 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Bronze,Cocobolo
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Original Preowned Vintage Condition. Refer to our images please.
- Seller Location:Chula Vista, CA
- Reference Number:Seller: ACCG5212031stDibs: LU971519339841
Don S. Shoemaker
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 the cocobolo, a Mexican rosewood, and he decided to delve into furniture design. In the late 1950s, he started a small factory, producing hand-carved 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.
- 1960s Bronze Candle Holder Exotic Wood Don Shoemaker MexicoBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Chula Vista, CAFascinating piece Don Shoemaker Votive Candleholder Mexico 1960s Bronze & Exotic Cocobolo Wood. Fine Mexican Modernism Original Preowned Vintage Unrestored...Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern More Candle Holders
MaterialsBronze
- 1960s Bottle Shaped Wine Rack in Exotic Woods Don Shoemaker MexicoBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Chula Vista, CAWine rack 11 bottle exotic wood wine rack in the shape of a wine bottle. Attributed to Don S Shoemaker. Mexico 1960s. Unmarked Designed in rosewood brass and Cocobolo wood. Rack...Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Barware
MaterialsBrass
- 1960s Murano Sommerso Art Glass Votive Candle Holder Green and AmberBy Murano Glass SommersoLocated in Chula Vista, CA1960s Murano Green and Amber Sommerso Art Glass Votive Candle Holder 1.5 tall x 2.75 diameter Preowned vintage condition. Refer to all images.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsArt Glass
- 1960s Crystal Glass Modern Cube Candle Holder PairBy IittalaLocated in Chula Vista, CAMCM Pair Crystal Glass Cube Candle Holders 3.75 x 3.75 x 3.75 candle .75 Preowned original vintage condition See all images provided.Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsCrystal
- 1970s Don Shoemaker Service Tray Exotic Wood Señal MexicoBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Chula Vista, CA1970s 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 Serving Pieces
MaterialsWood
- 1960s Dansk Candle Holder A. F. Rasmussen DenmarkBy A. F. Rasmussen, DanskLocated in Chula Vista, CADansk Hand Painted Wood Candle Holder by A. F. Rasmussen Denmark 1960s Wood painted Orange original Metal Base. Stamped with makers label underneath...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsMetal
- Set of Three Don Shoemaker Cocobolo Block Candle HoldersBy Don S. Shoemaker, SenalLocated in Los Angeles, CASet 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
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsCocobolo
- Biomorphic Candle Holder in the Style of Don ShoemakerBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Los Angeles, CAHand carved burl wood candelabra. The freeform candle holder features placement for three candle sticks perfect for a dining or coffee table. Dimensions 16.75" width x 7.5" depth x ...Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Candelabras
MaterialsWood, Burl
- Rare Cocobolo Don Shoemaker Fountain, Organic Mexican Mid-Century Modern, 1960sBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in San Diego, CAExceptional one of a kind organic midcentury Mexican modernist fountain designed by Don Shoemaker. Don Shoemaker fountain is made of Cocobolo woo...Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Fountains
MaterialsCocobolo
- Don Shoemaker Cocobolo Pencil Holder for Señal, Mexico, 1980sBy Don S. Shoemaker, SenalLocated in Costa Mesa, CADon Shoemaker Cocobolo Pencil Holder for Señal, Mexico, 1980s. Makers label to the bottom.Category
20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
MaterialsWood, Cocobolo
$680 Sale Price20% Off - Mexican Mid Century 5 Candle Holder Katalox Wood BirdBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Mexico City, CDMXCirca 1960, we offer this Mexican mid century 5 candle holder made in Katalox (tropical wood). This is a great bird shaped adjustable candle holder t...Category
Antique 1860s North American Mid-Century Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsTeak
- 1970's Don Drumm Aluminum Modern Candle HolderBy Don DrummLocated in New York, NY1970's modern aluminum candle-holder designed by Don Drumm in 1978, in vintage original condition with minor wear and patina due to age and use.Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsAluminum