Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
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 Large Serving Tray /Cutting Board Made with Different Woods
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, MX
This is a Mexican wood tray, cutting board or serving platter made in 1960s in Michoacan, Mexico by Don Shoemaker.
It is in excelllent condition and...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Pair of Salt and Pepper Shakers
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mérida, YU
This is a mid-century set of Salt and Pepper Shakers. Made by Don Shoemaker for Señal in Mexico.
Category
1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
$384 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Don Shoemaker Rosewood Swinger Lounge Chair
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Leather lounge chair by Don Shoemaker for Señal, c.1960s, Mexico. The chair features a rosewood frame and original black leather hide. Nail details line the top of the seat back of t...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
1970's Mexican Don S. Shoemaker Set of 4 Mixed Woods Spice Boxes / Tea Caddies
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, MX
A 1970's Mexican mixed hardwood set of 4 spice boxes by American designer Don S. Shoemaker. The geometric shaped boxes with round covers are designed with bands of different woods.
...
Category
1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Wood
Don S. Shoemaker Colonial Carved Wood Low Chair
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, MX
A rare 1960's pinewood low chair by Don S. Shoemaker. This piece belongs to Shoemaker's "Colonial" line of furniture, produced in the second half of the decade. The pinewood chair's ...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Pine
Don Shoemaker for Señal Bookends in Solid Cocobolo
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of solid wood bookends by Mexican-American designer Don Shoemaker for his company, Señal. Rendered in highly figured cocobolo wood, a species of local tropical wood similar to...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Cocobolo
Mexican Modern, Rectangular coffee table, 1960's Don S. Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Uccle, BE
Label: 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 Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Leather, Cocobolo
Don Shoemaker for Señal Bookends in Solid Cocobolo
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of solid wood bookends by Mexican-American designer Don Shoemaker for his company, Señal. Rendered in highly figured cocobolo wood, a species of local tropical wood similar to...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Cocobolo
Pair of 1960s Folding Armchairs by Don Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in London, England
In Cocobolo wood, with original black leather seat and chair back, circa 1965.
Category
1960s Mexican Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Leather
$6,798 / set
Don Shoemaker Chevron Marquetry Decorative Tray for Señal
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rosewood serving tray by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal in the 1960s. The surface of the tray has a repeating chevron marquetry pattern in a gradient of local Mexican hardwoods....
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Rosewood, Hardwood
Don Shoemaker Folding Arm Chair, Mexico c.1960
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Two chairs available-price per chair. Please message.
Original folding arm chair designed by Don Shoemaker for Senal SA. Can be used as dining chair or accent chair. The cha...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Rosewood, Teak
$3,995 Sale Price
20% Off
Rare Cocobolo Don Shoemaker Fountain, Organic Mexican Mid-Century Modern, 1960s
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in San Diego, CA
Exceptional 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 Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Cocobolo
$6,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Don Shoemaker "Sling Swinger" Chair in Bocote & Black Leather, Mexico C. 1970
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Don Shoemaker for Señal S.A. Bocote & Black Leather Lounge Chair. Featuring handcrafted braced and smooth Mexican Bocote Wood, peg construction, comfortable ergonomic Sling, newly up...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
Don S. Shoemaker 1970's Mexican Carved Wood Brutalist Jewel Box
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, MX
A rare 1970's Mexican Brutalist style hardwood jewel box by American designer Don S. Shoemaker. The wood log fragment is carved on one side to shape its 2 heart-shaped box drawers (o...
Category
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
1960s Don Shoemaker Hand-Carved Cocobolo Wood Bookends a Pair
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
1960s Don Shoemaker Hand-Carved Cocobolo Wood Bookends – Pair Mid Century Modern Mexican Design, Señal S.A.
Rare and exquisite pair of hand-carved cocobolo wood bookends by renowned...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Organic Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Wood, Cocobolo
Rare Don Shoemaker Tray
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960, We offer this beautiful and rare tray made in solid cocobolo wood designed by Don Shoemaker, produced at Señal, Morelia, Mexico with original label.
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Wood
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 Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Jacaranda, Mahogany, Rosewood, Cocobolo
Don Shoemaker Small Chevron Marquetry Decorative Tray for Señal
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rosewood serving tray by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal in the 1960s. The surface of the tray has a repeating chevron marquetry pattern in a gradient of local Mexican hardwoods....
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Rosewood
Mexican Modern Wood Tray By Don S. Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Houston, TX
Mexican Modern Wood Tray By Don S. Shoemaker.
Offered is a beautiful Mexican modern tray with handles by Don Shoemaker. Made for Señal S.A. from Cocobolo Wood which is a Mexican rose...
Category
1960s Mexican Organic Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Wood
$556 Sale Price
20% Off
Don Shoemaker Mexican Modern Cutting Board and Salt and Pepper Shakers
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in San Diego, CA
Cutting board or serving tray and mixed exotic woods salt and pepper shakers by Mexican Modernist Don Shoemaker. Retains original label from his w...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Wood
$208 Sale Price
20% Off
Chest F15 by Don Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Born in Nebraska, Don S. Shoemaker studied painting at The Fine Arts Institution of Chicago. In the late 1940s, he moved to Mexico with his family and settled in Santa Maria de Gui...
Category
1960s Mexican Spanish Colonial Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Wood
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 Furniture
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
$4,000 / set
Mid-Century Modern Don Shoemaker Service Tray Tapered Exotic Wood
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a service tray By Designer Don Shoemaker produced by Senal in Mexico 1970s. Marvelous mid-century service tray medley of exotic woods. Cut out handle for easy...
Category
1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Rosewood, Cocobolo
Mid Century Rosewood “Elephant” Salt & Pepper Shakers
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in San Diego, CA
Wear consistent with age and use. As a vintage item, light cosmetic wear might be present but with no structural damage. Wear consistent with age and use.
Category
1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
$220 Sale Price / set
20% Off
1970s Don Shoemaker Service Tray Exotic Wood Señal Mexico
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Designed by Don Shoemaker produced by Señal Mexico
Midcentury single Service Tray wall decor in exotic woods
Cut out handle for easy carry.
21.75 long 8.25 w x 1.75 h
More tray...
Category
Late 20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Wood
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 Furniture
Materials
Wood, Leather
$2,200
Don Shoemaker Parquetry Work Box for Senal SA, Mexico, Label
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great parquetry box, designed for Don Shoemaker, label, Senal SA.
Category
1960s Mexican Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Wood
Don Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, MX
All original Don Shoemaker paper basket. Almost perfect condition.
Wood and leather.
Category
1980s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
$1,600
1970s Don Shoemaker for Señal Service Tray Exotic Wood
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a service tray by Don Shoemaker produced by Señal in Mexico 1970s rich medley of exotic woods. Cut out handle design for easy carry. Discreet mounting hardwar...
Category
1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Wood, Cocobolo
$780 Sale Price
35% Off
1960s Geometric Jewelry Trinket Geometric Box Mexican Craft Eclectic Woodworker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Vintage hinged lidded hexagonal box by Don Shoemaker, Senal.
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Cocobolo
$680 Sale Price
20% Off
Don Shoemaker Midcentury Organic Jacaranda Wood Jewelry Box
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Queens, NY
Midcentury Rustic organic form jacaranda wood jewelry box with a bark exterior, and single drawer with wooden pull. (DON SHOEMAKER).
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Wood
Modernist Don Shoemaker "El Padre" Signed Color Etching Limited Edition of 22
By Don S. Shoemaker, Diego Rivera
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 Furniture
Don Shoemaker Sling Swinger Chair
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Long Island City, NY
A leader of Mexico Modernism, Don Shoemaker created the “Sling” chair in the 1950s and designed variations through the 1960s, including the “Swinger” armchair you see here. Our versi...
Category
1960s Mexican Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Cocobolo, Granadillo, Leather
Don Shoemaker Salt and Pepper Set with Tray of Rosewood, Oak and Mixed Woods
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very nice and great modern desgin in this rare set by Don Shoemaker.
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Wood
Don Shoemaker Desk Top Business Card Holder
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare business card holder made in Cocobolo and granadillo wood, includes Original label of Señal S.A., circa 1970.
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Cocobolo
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., ...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
$3,975 Sale Price
29% Off
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 Furniture
Materials
Wood
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 Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood, Cocobolo
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 Furniture
Materials
Leather, Cocobolo
Early Vintage Rosewood Salt and Pepper Shaker Set by Don Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-Century Modern abstract salt and pepper shakers designed by Don Shoemaker for Señal, S.A. Mexico. This set is handmade in rosewood with unique brass ring dispensers that makes fo...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Brass
Don Shoemaker Sling "Swinger" Chair and Ottoman for Señal, S.A, 1960
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
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 Furniture
Materials
Leather, Rosewood, Cocobolo
Mid-Century Modern Don Shoemaker for Señal Exotic Wood Serving Tray
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a mid-century modern designed by Don Shoemaker and produced by Señal Mexico circa the 1980s. Mid-century Service Tray medley of exotic woods. Cut out the hand...
Category
Late 20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Wood
Two Rosewood Nesting Tables, Don Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Atlanta, GA
A set of two nesting tables made by Don Shoemaker for Señal, Mexico, circa 1960s. Heavy cubist construction with minimalist form and exposed dove joins and point joints. The surface...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Cocobolo
$4,800 / set
Rectangular Table Don Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas
Extraordinary 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
1960s Mexican Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Cocobolo
Don Shoemaker Rectangular Cocobolo Tray for Señal
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Narrow tray by Don Shoemaker for Señal, Mexico, c.1960s. The tray has a Cocobolo frame with integrated handles and features an inlaid striped pattern of rosewood. Retains original ma...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Rosewood, Cocobolo
Don Shoemaker Geometric Marquetry Decorative Tray for Señal
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rosewood serving tray by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal in the 1960s. The surface of the tray has a repeating geometric marquetry pattern in a gradient of local Mexican hardwo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Wood Inlaid Chevron Pattern Cutting Board for Señal
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cutting board by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal in the 1960s. The surface of the board has a repeating chevron marquetry pattern in a gradient of local Mexican hardwoods that ca...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Rosewood, Cocobolo
Don Shoemaker Geometric Marquetry Decorative Tray for Señal
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rosewood serving tray by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal in the 1960s. The surface of the tray has a repeating geometric marquetry pattern in a gradient of local Mexican hardwo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Don S. Shoemaker furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Don S. Shoemaker 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 Don S. Shoemaker furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Senal, Michael van Beuren, and Pedro Ramirez Vazquez. Prices for Don S. Shoemaker furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $750 and can go as high as $1,200, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $750.
Creators Similar to Don S. Shoemaker
Questions About Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
- What is a shoe maker called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 26, 2024A shoe maker is traditionally called a cobbler. However, many people simply use the term shoemaker to describe a professional who crafts shoes today. You may also see shoemakers referred to by the French term "cordonnier" or the Italian term "calzolaio." Explore a wide range of shoes from some of the world's top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 20, 2024The difference between a cobbler and a shoemaker comes down to their historical jobs. Shoemakers traditionally produced new footwear, while cobblers focused on repairing shoes for customers. However, some people do use the terms cobbler and shoemaker interchangeably. Shop a wide range of shoes on 1stDibs.
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