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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 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 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

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 Furniture

Materials

Wood, Pine

Don Shoemaker for Señal Bookends in Solid Cocobolo
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
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

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

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

Palofierro wood Don Shoemaker Dominoes Set
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Beautiful Don Shoemaker Dominoes set made Palofierro wood. Includes designer label Don Shoemaker Santa Maria de Guido Mexico.
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 Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table with Leather Top
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this fantastic coffee table made in pieces of solid cocobolo wood with leather top designed by Don Shoemaker for Señal S.A., circa 1960 About Don Shoemaker: Coming from an affluent family, Don was originally from Nebraska. During the 1930s he studied at the fine Arts Institute of Chicago thinking to become a painter. Visiting Mexico for his honeymoon he fell in love with the country and he finally decided to move to Mexico in the late 1940s. He lived for a while and painted in San Miguel Allende, Guanajuato, but finally he settled down in a little uphill town called Santa María de Guido, overseeing the city of Morelia, in the state of Michoacan, Mexico.   Don began the manufacture of his furniture in tropical precious woods and other wood products. What started as a little factory in the late 1950s called SEÑAL, S.A., grew to the point where Don employed more than a hundred skilled craftsmen. Soon Shoemaker became an important milestone of the economic and cultural life of his adopted home. SEÑAL, S.A. brought great wealth and economical boost to the village and Don was well known for his good heart and charity projects.   Don S. Shoemaker delivered furniture pieces in to his showrooms in Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston and large cities in Mexico. His designs were very much appreciated by wealthy Mexican families...
Category

1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture

Materials

Cocobolo

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

Don Shoemaker Small Geometric Marquetry Decorative Tray for Señal
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
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 geometric marquetry pattern in a gradient of local Mexican hardwood...
Category

1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture

Materials

Hardwood, Rosewood

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

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

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

60s Don Shoemaker Tray Exotic Mexican Hardwood Diamond Geometric Motif Craftsman
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Don Shoemaker designed tray for Senal S.A. Nice uncommon diamond inlays.
Category

1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

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

Modernist Don Shoemaker "El Rostro" 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 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

1970s Don Shoemaker for Señal Service Tray Exotic Wood
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Chula Vista, CA
By Don Shoemaker produced by Señal in Mexico 1970s rich medley of exotic woods Cut out handle design for easy carry 12 D x 20.5 L x 1.5 H Discreet mounting hardware is affixed to bac...
Category

1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture

Materials

Wood, Cocobolo

1970s Don Shoemaker Service Tray Exotic Wood Stripe Señal Mexico
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Don Shoemaker produced by Senal in Mexico Service tray in exotic wood Cut out Handle design for easy carry 20.5 T x 12 W x 1.25 D Discreet mounting hardware Retains original ma...
Category

1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture

Materials

Rosewood, 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 Furniture

Materials

Rosewood, Leather

Headboard by Don Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970. We offer this headboard designed by Don Shoemaker. Made in cocobolo wood.
Category

1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture

Materials

Wood

Don Shoemaker Rosewood Swinger Lounge Chair
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
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

1970s Mexico Bar Service Tray Exotic Wood Stripe by Don Shoemaker for Señal
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Designed by Don Shoemaker and produced by Señal Mexico Midcentury Service Tray medley of exotic woods Cut out the handle for easy carry. Tray 8.25 w x 21.75 long x 1.75 d ...
Category

Late 20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture

Materials

Wood

Don Shoemaker Parquetry Work Box for Senal SA, Mexico, Label
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
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 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

Don Shoemaker Decorative Tray for Señal
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Serving tray by Don Shoemaker for Senal of Mexico. The tray has a dark rosewood frame with integrated handles at either end, and the tray surface is inlaid with precious wood veneer ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture

Materials

Hardwood, Rosewood

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 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

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

Don Shoemaker Serving Tray
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 Guido...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

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

Modernist Sofa Table by Don S. Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Minneapolis, MN
A modernist piece designed in Mexico by Don S Schumacher. Exotic Cocobolo wood that could easily be mistaken for rosewood. Lacquer finish. The perfect corner maker for a sofa...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture

Materials

Cocobolo

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

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 for Señal Geometric Marquetry Tray with Stand
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Serving tray and stand by Don Shoemaker for Senal of Mexico. The tray has a dark rosewood frame with integrated handles at either end, and the tray surface has a repeating geometric ...
Category

1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

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 Furniture

Materials

Leather, Rosewood, Cocobolo

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

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

Don Shoemaker Geometric Marquetry Decorative Tray for Señal
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
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 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
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 26, 2024
    A 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, 2024
    The 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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