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
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 Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
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
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 Furniture
Materials
Pine
Chest F15 by Don Shoemaker
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
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
Rosewood and Marble Table, Don Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Atlanta, GA
A square dining or game table by Don Shoemaker for Senal, Mexico, circa 1970. Solid Mexican rosewood Cocobolo frame with carved organic forms and join...
Category
1970s Mexican Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Marble
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 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
"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 Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
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 Cocobolo Pencil Holder for Señal, Mexico, 1980s
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Don Shoemaker Cocobolo Pencil Holder for Señal, Mexico, 1980s. Makers label to the bottom.
Category
20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Wood, Cocobolo
Don Shoemaker Credenza
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in East Hampton, NY
Beautiful and exotic credenza or sideboard by American designer Don Shoemaker, signed on back.
Category
1960s Mexican Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Wood
Don Shoemaker Box
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, MX
All original. Excellent condition.
Category
1970s Mexican Organic Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Wood
Expertly Restored - Don S. Shoemaker Rosewood Oval Tray for Señal Furniture
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
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 Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Wood
60s Don Shoemaker Tray Exotic Mexican Hardwood Diamond Geometric Motif Craftsman
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
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
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
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
Pair of MCM Cocobolo Wood Minimalist Salt & Pepper Shakers by Don Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in San Diego, CA
A goegeous pair of MCM cocobolo wood minimalist interlocking salt & pepper hakers by Don Shoemaker, circa 1970s. The pair were made in Mexico and are in very good vintage condition m...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Cocobolo
1970s Don Shoemaker Service Tray Exotic Wood Stripe Señal Mexico
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
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
60's Don S Shoemaker for Senal Carved Rosewood Tic-tac-toe Game Mexico Sculpture
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in San Diego, CA
Fantastic hand made Don S. Shoemaker designed tic-tac-toe game for Senal and dates from the 1960's. Made of beautiful rosewood. Has the original artists tag on the bottom. The game i...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Wood, Rosewood
Mexican Mid-Century Modernist Don Shoemaker Chair
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare an amazing chair designed by Don Shoemaker, circa 1960.
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Wood, Pine
1970s Don Shoemaker for Señal Carved Root Wood Box Mexico
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Free form lidded box designer Don Shoemaker Mexico
Retains original label Señal
Cocobolo root wood
6.5 h x 4 d x 10 w
Original vintage unrestored condition.
Expect signs of vin...
Category
1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Cocobolo, Wood
1960s Don Shoemaker Exotic Wood Bronze Votive Candle Holder
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Fascinating piece Don Shoemaker Votive Candleholder Mexico 1960s
Bronze & Exotic Cocobolo Wood.
Fine Mexican Modernism
Original Preowned Vintage Unrestored...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Mexican Modern Don Shoemaker Wood Trays
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in San Diego, CA
Set of four serving trays or plates by Mexican Modernist Don Shoemaker, from his workshop in Señal Mexico.
Designer Don Shoemaker ( was born in Nebraska and studied at the Art Inst...
Category
1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage 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
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., ...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Rosewood, Leather
Modernist Don Shoemaker "El Cargador" Signed Color Etching Limited Edition of 22
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in San Diego, CA
Very hard to come by color etching by famous Mexican furniture designer Don Shoemaker, dating from 1951. Hand signed, numbered and titled on...
Category
Mid-20th Century Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Don Shoemaker Mexican Modern Rare Bowl Hand-Carved
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and very rare attributed to Mexican Modernist Don Shoemaker. No labels but according to the owner this piece was purchased with a lot of items by Don Shoemaker hand carved ...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Don Shoemaker\ Jacaranda, Coconut & Mesquite Dining/ Center/ Games Table
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Queens, NY
Mexican Modern Jacaranda, Coconut and Mesquite Dining/ Center/ Games Table (DON SHOEMAKER)
Category
20th Century Unknown 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
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
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
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 Furniture
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
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 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 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
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
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
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
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
Early Vintage Rosewood Salt and Pepper Shaker Set by Don Shoemaker
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
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 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 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
Poltrona di Don Shoemaker per Señal, 1960
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Questa poltrona disegnata da Don Shoemaker per Señal negli anni ’60 è un autentico esempio di artigianato e design modernista messicano. Realizzata con materiali pregiati come il leg...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
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
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
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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