Don Shoemaker Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table with Leather Top
About the Item
- Creator:Don S. Shoemaker (Author)
- Dimensions:Height: 15.75 in (40 cm)Width: 45.28 in (115 cm)Depth: 21.26 in (54 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960
- Condition:Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Mexico City, MX
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4252222447092
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Mexico City, Mexico
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Rare Corner Table by Mexican Mid-Century Modernist Don ShoemakerBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Mexico City, CDMXWe offer this rare an amazing corner table designed by Don Shoemaker, circa 1960, this piece is very rare and hard to find, a perfect piece for the Don Shoemaker collectors, includes...Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Console Tables
MaterialsWood
- Mexican Modern Bookends by Don ShoemakerBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Mexico City, CDMXCirca 1970. We offer this Hand carved bookends made in Cocobolo by Mexican Modernist Don Shoemaker. Include original labels from his workshop in Señal Mexico.Category
Vintage 1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Bookends
MaterialsWood
- Don Shoemaker Desk Top Business Card HolderBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Mexico City, CDMXWe offer this rare business card holder made in Cocobolo and granadillo wood, includes Original label of Señal S.A., circa 1970.Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes
MaterialsCocobolo
- 'Annika' Coffee Table by Bruno Mathsson, 1936By Bruno MathssonLocated in Mexico City, CDMXWe offer this "Annika" coffee table designed by Bruno Mathsson, the table is composed of three elegantly sculpted birch legs which anchor the circular, teak top. The detail, richness...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsElm
- Rare Stool by Mexican Mid-Century Modernist Don ShoemakerBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Mexico City, CDMXWe offer this rare an amazing stool designed by Don Shoemaker, circa 1960.Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsWood
- Amazing Floating Coffee Table by Eugenio EscuderoBy Eugenio EscuderoLocated in Mexico City, CDMXWe offer this coffee table with the amazing and characteristic design of Eugenio Escudero, made in México in mahogany wood, circa 1950. We do not include glass for best shipping.Category
Vintage 1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Center Tables
MaterialsCedar
- Mid-Century Modern Glass Top Coffee TableLocated in Brooklyn, NYA beautiful vintage modern propeller shaped metal base and a thick round glass top is sure to make an impression in any modern interior. An elegant design that boasts a tripod base w...Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsMetal
- Mexican Modern, Rectangular coffee table, 1960's Don S. ShoemakerBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Uccle, BELabel: 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 Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsLeather, Cocobolo
- Rectangular Table Don ShoemakerBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in San Cristobal de Las Casas, ChiapasExtraordinary table by Don Shoemaker made of cocobolo wood, a variety of Mexican rosewood. The surface of the round table is inlaid with marquetry in ...Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Modern Center Tables
MaterialsCocobolo
- Danish Mid-Century Modern Oval Coffee Table with Smoked Glass TopBy Haslev MobelsnedkeriLocated in Rockaway, NJSolid teak Danish modern oval coffee table.Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Center Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Unique Mid-Century Modern Circular Swivel Top Coffee TableLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis beautiful vintage modern coffee table swivels from 40 inches wide all the way to 49 inches wide. A brown lacquered finish adds to the mid-century appeal. A versatile pedestal-style base makes this unusual cocktail table...Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsLaminate, Wood
- 1970's Mid-Century Modern Ibex Coffee Table with Bronze Base & Glass TopLocated in Los Angeles, CAIntroducing our extraordinary mid-century modern ibex coffee table, a hand-crafted masterpiece that combines artistic design with functionality. Expe...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsBronze, Brass
