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.
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...
Wood
Don Shoemaker Small Geometric 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 geometric marquetry pattern in a gradient of local Mexican hardwood...
Hardwood, Rosewood
Expertly Restored - Don S. Shoemaker Rosewood Oval Tray 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...
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.
Hardwood
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...
Hardwood, Rosewood, Cocobolo
Don Shoemaker Decorative Tray for Señal
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
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 ...
Hardwood, Rosewood
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...
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...
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...
Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Chevron 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 chevron marquetry pattern in a gradient of local Mexican hardwoods....
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....
Hardwood, 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...
Rosewood, Cocobolo
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...
Rosewood
Trays Mondrian Style Set of 5
Located in Paris, FR
Mondrian style set of 5 trays with structure and frame in solid wenge, each tray is covered with natural genuine leather, 2 trays in red, 1 tray in b...
Leather, Wenge
Calacatta Marble Oval Tray
By Kiwano Concept
Located in Eindhoven, NB
Elevate your space with the timeless elegance of the Calacatta Viola Marble Tray. Crafted from exquisite travertine adorned with natural pits, this versatile tray adds a touch of sop...
Marble
Travertine Oval Tray
By Kiwano Concept
Located in Eindhoven, NB
Elevate your space with the timeless elegance of the Travertine Oval Tray. Crafted from exquisite travertine adorned with natural pits, this versatile tray adds a touch of sophistica...
Travertine
$560
H 0.5 in W 8 in D 10.38 in
Small Cocktail Tray by Christofle, French Art Deco Silver Plated Serving Tray
By Christofle
Located in Miami, FL
French Art Deco style silver-plated serving tray from Christofle. This small cocktail tray is hallmarked on the reverse. In very good condition, wear consistent with age, materials...
Silver Plate
$1,500
H 0.79 in W 14.18 in D 17.33 in
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...
Hardwood
Pink Marble Oval Tray
By Kiwano Concept
Located in Eindhoven, NB
Elevate your space with the timeless elegance of the Pink Marble Tray. Crafted from exquisite burgundy marble adorned with striking white veining, thi...
Stone, Marble
Kamari Woods Teak Serving Tray
Located in Pasadena, TX
This teak serving tray was manufactured in the Philippines. It's square with curved ends.
Teak
$637Sale Price|25% Off
H 1.25 in W 15 in D 9 in
Mid-Century Modern Don Shoemaker Señal Service Tray Exotic Wood
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a mid-century modern Don S Shoemaker Señal service tray exotic woods. Mexico circa the 1980s. Geometric parquetry. Stamp present. Dimensions: 1.25" D x 15" L...
Wood
$1,189
H 1.19 in W 21.66 in D 17.33 in
Dior Rectangular Tortoiseshell Effect Lucite and Brass Serving Tray, Italy 1970s
By Dior Home
Located in Roma, IT
Marvelous Mid-Century serving tray fully made in a vibrant tortoiseshell effect lucite with a polished solid brass frame. This incredibly stylish piece was designed by Dior Home and ...
Brass
$1,000 / item
H 1.75 in W 8.25 in D 21.75 in
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...
Wood
FORNASETTI Watermelon Oval Metal Tray
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian oval metal tray depicting watermelon on orange surface / made in Milan Italy in the 1950s Original Fornasetti label on the base Measures: width 18 inches, depth 13.5 ...
Metal
$817
H 1.78 in W 15.36 in D 11.82 in
Barovier Rectangular Serving Tray in Mirror-Engraved Murano Glass w/ Gold, 1940s
By Barovier
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous rectangular-shaped serving tray in a stunning combination of mouth-blown Murano glass with 24k gold specks inside, acid-etched mirrored glass, and gilt metal handles. This g...
Gold Plate, Brass
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.
Wood
Don Shoemaker Tray
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960, We offer this beautiful tray made in solid cocobolo wood designed by Don Shoemaker, produced at Señal, Morelia, Mexico with original label.
Wood
Don Shoemaker Decorative Tray for Señal
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
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 ...
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 linear marquetry pattern in a gradient of local Mexican...
Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Serving Tray
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 Guido...
Wood
Don Shoemaker Serving Tray
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 Guido...
Wood
Don Shoemaker Cocobolo Tray for Señal
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cocobolo 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 ...
Rosewood, Cocobolo
Don Shoemaker for Señal Diamond Geometric Marquetry Tray
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
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 surfa...
Rosewood
Don Shoemaker for Señal Geometric Marquetry Decorative Tray
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...
Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Serving Tray
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 Guido...
Hardwood
Don Shoemaker for Señal Marquetry Paper Tray
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cocobolo paper tray with geometric pattern by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal, c.1960s, Mexico. Shoemaker is known for the marquetry in his work, which is clearly visible in the ...
Rosewood, Hardwood, Cocobolo
Don Shoemaker for Señal Geometric Marquetry Decorative Tray
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...
Rosewood