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.
Rosewood Marquetry Backgammon Set by Don Shoemaker
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A modernist backgammon set by US-born, Mexico-based designer Don Shoemaker for his company Señal. This portable set includes the game board, which folds up into a carrying case, chec...
Rosewood, Hardwood
$1,804 / item
H 3.15 in W 11.82 in D 16.93 in
21st Century Leather and Walnut Wood Backgammon Set Handcrafted in Italy
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Our backgammon set, a must of board games. Expertly crafted with canaletto walnut wood and dressed on the outside with a textured calfskin leather covering, its interior delivers ...
Leather, Walnut
$1,804 / item
H 3.15 in W 11.82 in D 16.93 in
21st Century Camel Leather and Walnut Wood Backgammon Set Handcrafted in Italy
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Our backgammon set, a must of board games. Expertly crafted with canaletto walnut wood and dressed on the outside with a textured calfskin leather covering, its interior delivers ...
Leather, Walnut
$1,988 / item
H 3.15 in W 11.82 in D 16.93 in
Taupe & Navy Blue Leather and Walnut Wood Backgammon Set Handcrafted in, Italy
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Our backgammon set, a must of board games. Expertly crafted with canaletto walnut wood and dressed on the outside with a textured calfskin leather covering, its interior delivers ...
Leather, Walnut
$4,900
H 1.97 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Chess and Backgammon Lacquered Wood Board, China, Late 19th Century.
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Chess and backgammon lacquered wood board. China, late 19th century.
Stone
Italian Tortoiseshell Lucite Chess Set
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sophisticated Italian chess set from the 1970s, crafted in rich tortoiseshell-pattern Lucite with polished brass accents. The board lifts to reveal a fitted interior tray that neatly...
Lucite
Grey Backgammon Box Game
By Cassigoli
Located in Milan, IT
Wooden handmade backgammon game dressed in fine and soft genuine leather with brass dice in palladium plating. Available in different colors. Please, ask the Concierge for further de...
Leather
Mid-Century Modern Industrial Pop Art Chess Set in Brass & Aluminum
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Industrial Pop Art Chess Set chess pieces: industrial solid brass and aluminum custom made in a machine shop pawn - shortest piece is 1 1/2" tall king - tallest piece is 2 5/8" tal...
Metal
Nelson Chess Set by A. Andreucci
By Arcahorn Srl.
Located in Milan, IT
Designed by A. Andreucci, the spectacular board of this dynamic Nelson Chess Set has been crafted in mirrored glass and polished black lacquered wood and measures 40 x 40 cm. Perfect...
Horn, Wool, Glass, Mirror
Spotted Backgammon
Located in Paris, FR
Backgammon spotted with solid walnut case. Backgammon lid's covered with genuine leather with a spotted pattern in relief. With magnetic closing system. With leather inlaid...
Leather, Walnut
Backgammon Small Case
By Giobagnara
Located in Milan, IT
This elegant small backgammon case is made entirely in walnut wood and mahogany and uses walnut wood hinges. The playing surface is in inlaid leather a...
Leather, Mahogany, Walnut
Trafalgar Chess Set by A. Andreucci
By Arcahorn Srl.
Located in Milan, IT
Featuring an elegant and sophisticated chessboard crafted from nubuck and burnished brass, with chess pieces in matt horn and burnished brass, the Trafalgar Chess Set, designed by A. Andreucci is a spectacular piece to display in a formal lounge...
Brass
Backgammon Large Set
By Giobagnara
Located in Milan, IT
This exquisite set of backgammon is made of a walnut wood and mahogany case that is upholstered in fine-dyed leather of which the color and type can be customized. The playing surface is made up of inlaid leather. The set includes checkers in boxwood and dice. The closing is magnetic to secure a safe...
Leather, Mahogany, Walnut
Rosewood Marquetry Backgammon Set by Don Shoemaker
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A modernist backgammon set by US-born, Mexico-based designer Don Shoemaker for his company Señal. This portable set includes the game board, which folds up into a carrying case, checkers, rolling dice, and doubling dice...
Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Box with Senal SA, Mexico, Label
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this fantastic parquetry box, designed for Don Shoemaker, includes, Senal SA label, circa 1960. About Don Shoemaker: Coming from an affluent fami...
Wood
Rosewood Backgammon Set
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning Rosewood portable backgammon board. Handle slides out to open. Inset brass pin to hold handle in place while not in use. Board includes all wooden pips, wood dice and wood d...
Wood
Rosewood Backgammon Set
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning rosewood portable backgammon board. Handle slides out with inset brass pin. Board includes all pips, dice, leather cup holders and doubling cube. Designed by Don Shoemaker. ...
Wood
Rare Hippopotamus Box by Don Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Designed by Don Shoemaker and handcrafted by Señal, S.A. Mexico. This hippopotamus box is an extremely rare piece by one of the greatest representatives of Mexican modernism, Don Sho...
Wood