Don S. Shoemaker Barware
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.
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Barware
Cocobolo
1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Barware
Wood, Cocobolo
1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Barware
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Barware
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Organic Modern Don S. Shoemaker Barware
Horn
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Barware
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Italian Don S. Shoemaker Barware
Metal
20th Century English Regency Don S. Shoemaker Barware
Sterling Silver
1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Barware
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Barware
Aluminum
20th Century American Don S. Shoemaker Barware
Sterling Silver
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Barware
Fiberglass
Early 20th Century English Art Deco Don S. Shoemaker Barware
Silver, Silver Plate
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Don S. Shoemaker Barware
Plastic, Cocobolo
Late 20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Barware
Wood
1980s Mexican Organic Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Barware
Wood
1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Barware
Wood
1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Barware
Wood
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Barware
Wood
1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Barware
Rosewood
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Barware
Wood, Cocobolo
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Barware
Hardwood, Rosewood
Don S. Shoemaker barware for sale 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.