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Senal

Mexican

If it weren’t for his honeymoon, American furniture designer Don S. Shoemaker and his company, Señal S.A., 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, Shoemaker started a small factory, producing hand-carved desksarmchairsdining room tables, decorative boxes and bowls, and serveware. The popularity of Shoemaker’s furnishings grew throughout Mexico, and his modest factory became Señal S.A., 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 Señal S.A. tables, lounge chairs and other furniture.

Don Shoemaker for Senal S.A. Cocobolo Rosewood Leather Sofa, Mid Century
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
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 Senal

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Don Shoemaker - Senal Exotic Mixed Hardwoods Rosewood Trinket Box Made in Mexico
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by eccentric woodworker and designer Don Shoemaker, this trinket box was made by Senal in Mexico. It employs a cacophany of exotic woods, including cocobolo, jacaranda, and ...
Category

1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Senal

Materials

Jacaranda, Mahogany, Rosewood, Cocobolo

Don Shoemaker Sling Chair
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Denton, TX
The iconic beautiful mexican modern Don Shoemaker "sling" chair. Made for Señal S.A. Made from solid Cocobolo Wood with original black leather. Made in the 1960s
Category

20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Senal

Materials

Leather, Cocobolo

Don Shoemaker Sling Chair
Don Shoemaker Sling Chair
$2,750
H 27.75 in W 22.5 in D 19 in
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 Senal

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

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 Senal

Materials

Leather, Rosewood, Cocobolo

Don Shoemaker Folding Arm Chair, Mexico c.1960
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Two available. Price per chair. Please message. Original folding arm chairs designed by Don Shoemaker for Senal SA. Can be used as dining chair or accent chair. The chair is...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Senal

Materials

Rosewood, Teak

Don Shoemaker Folding Arm Chair, Mexico c.1960
Don Shoemaker Folding Arm Chair, Mexico c.1960
$3,995 Sale Price
20% Off
H 36.5 in W 23.5 in D 23 in
Don Shoemaker Perno Safari Chair
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Leather safari lounge chair by Don Shoemaker for Señal, c.1960s, Mexico. The chair features a rosewood cocobolo frame and original patinated black leather hide. Leather showcases a s...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Senal

Materials

Leather, Rosewood, Cocobolo

Don Shoemaker Perno Safari Chair
Don Shoemaker Perno Safari Chair
$4,000
H 28.5 in W 22.5 in D 21 in
Cocobolo Dining Table by Don S. Shoemaker
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
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 Post-Modern Vintage Senal

Materials

Cocobolo

Cocobolo Dining Table by Don S. Shoemaker
Cocobolo Dining Table by Don S. Shoemaker
$20,213 Sale Price
24% Off
H 30.25 in W 53.5 in D 96 in
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Senal Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMaterialCreation Year
2025$3,315Sofa TablesRosewood1960
2025$895Serving PiecesWood, Mahogany, Rosewood1960s
2024$385Decorative BoxesHardwood1970
$1,532
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$385-$3,315
Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

Creators Similar to Senal

Senal furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Senal 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 Senal furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Senal were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Michael van Beuren, Pedro Friedeberg, and Eugenio Escudero. Prices for Senal furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $225 and can go as high as $3,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $925.

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