Don S. Shoemaker Seating
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 in 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 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 Seating
Materials
Leather, Rosewood, Cocobolo
Pair of Don Shoemaker for Senal Sling Chairs
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
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 Seating
Materials
Leather, Wood
Don S. Shoemaker Sling Sloucher Lounge Chair
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
For your consideration, Shoemaker's most iconic chair, The Sloucher from the Sling line, the leather is original as are the buttons that are nailed to the wood (two out of twenty wer...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Seating
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 Seating
Materials
Leather, Cocobolo
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 Seating
Materials
Leather, 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 Seating
Materials
Leather, Wood
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 Seating
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
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 Seating
Materials
Leather, Cocobolo
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 Seating
Materials
Wood, Pine
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 Seating
Materials
Pine
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 Seating
Materials
Leather, Cocobolo
Midcentury Lounge Chair in Rosewood & Leather by Don Shoemaker, 1960s
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
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 Seating
Materials
Cocobolo, Leather, 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 Seating
Materials
Rosewood, Teak
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 Seating
Materials
Leather, Wood
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 Seating
Materials
Leather, Rosewood, Cocobolo
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 Seating
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
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 Seating
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
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 Seating
Materials
Leather, Cocobolo
"Zig Zag Chairs"
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, MX
Made in Michoacan, Mexico at Shoemaker Workshop in 1980s.
Perfect condition. Great patina.
Beautiful pieces.
Category
1990s Mexican Organic Modern Don S. Shoemaker Seating
Materials
Fruitwood
Don Shoemaker Sling Chair
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Carmel, NY
The iconic beautiful Don Shoemaker sling chair. Made for Señal S.A. Made from solid Cocobolo Wood with original brown leather. Made in the 19...
Category
1960s Mexican Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Seating
Materials
Leather, Cocobolo
Don Shoemaker for Senal S.A. Cocobolo Rosewood Leather Sofa, Mid Century
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare rosewood and leather sofa, very comfortable and in great condition, Don Shoemaker
(Rosewood up to 10kg can be shipped worldwide, no paperwork is necessary for this shipment)
A s...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Seating
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
Rare Stool by Mexican Mid-Century Modernist Don Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare an amazing stool designed by Don Shoemaker, circa 1960.
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Seating
Materials
Wood
Don Shoemaker Rosewood and Leather ‘Sloucher’ Chairs, Mexico 1950s
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Pair of lounge chairs model 'Sloucher' by Don Shoemaker for Señal, Mexico 1960s. Outstanding organically shaped bone structure with a nice leather sling seat. Interesting shapes and ...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Seating
Materials
Leather, Cocobolo
Chair by Don Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Carved chair with original leather insert by Don Shoemaker. Chair measures 19.5" wide, 20.5" deep and 27" high. Seat height is 12". Chair has been professionally refinished.
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Seating
Materials
Wood, Leather
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 Seating
Materials
Walnut
Sculptural Cocobolo Rosewood Leather Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Don Shoemaker
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
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 Seating
Materials
Rosewood, Leather
Don Shoemaker Leather Rosewood Sofa
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in New York, NY
Don Shoemaker leather and rosewood sofa.
Category
1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Seating
Materials
Leather, Wood, Cocobolo
Vintage Don Shoemaker Rosewood Swinger Chair Signed Senal, Mexico
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Chicago, IL
A great vintage example. Not a reproduction. Beautiful grain. Signed on cross stretcher. Are pictures available upon request.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Seating
Materials
Wood
Pair of Don Shoemaker Dining Chairs
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Pair of Don Shoemaker dining chairs (F84C), original leather on the seat and back, reversible seat and original buttons too.
Born in Nebraska, Don S. Shoemaker studied painting at T...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Seating
Materials
Granadillo, Leather
Set of Two Chairs, a Round Table and a Seat Bench, Made in Wood by Don Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas
Set of two chairs, a round Table and a Seat bench.
made in wood by Don Shoemaeker in Mexico
It has detachable parts that do not need screws to fasten
cueramo wood and granadillo
...
Category
1960s Mexican American Classical Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Seating
Materials
Wood
Modernist Don Shoemaker "El Rostro" Signed Color Etching Limited Edition of 22
By Diego Rivera, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in San Diego, CA
Very hard to come by color etching by famous Mexican furniture designer Don Shoemaker, dating from 1950. Hand signed, numbered and titled on...
Category
Mid-20th Century Don S. Shoemaker Seating
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 Seating
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
Rosewood 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 Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Seating
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
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 Seating
Materials
Leather
Don Shoemaker Sling "Swinger" Chair and Ottoman, Mexico 1960s
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Camden, ME
A Classic 20th century chair and ottoman from one of the great craftsman's workshops of Mexico: Senal, S.A., Don Shoemaker's tropical paradise in Michoacan, Mexico.
This iconic chai...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Seating
Materials
Leather, Cocobolo
Pair of Don S. Shoemaker Sling Sloucher Chairs
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
For your consideration, Shoemaker's most iconic chair, The Sloucher from the Sling line, both chairs are in their original condition, the leather and its leather buttons that braid i...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Seating
Materials
Leather, 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 Seating
Materials
Leather, Wood
Rare Mexican Modern Chair by Don Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Round Rock, TX
Incredibly uncommon chair designed by Don Shoemaker. This beauty was designed in 1960 and referred as silla “Tubo”. Made from cocobolo, leather and tubu...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Seating
Materials
Steel
Don S. Shoemaker seating for sale on 1stDibs.
Don S. Shoemaker seating 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 seating, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original seating 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 seating by Michael van Beuren, Senal, and Arturo Pani. Prices for Don S. Shoemaker seating can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $750 and can go as high as $15,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,010.
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