Skip to main content

Don S. Shoemaker Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

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.

to
1
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
3
3
1
3
2
1
2
1
3
1
1
3
3
3
3
3
62
376
333
230
195
Creator: Don S. Shoemaker
Rare Solid Mexican Cocobolo Wood Desk Don Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Atlanta, GA
A bespoken and rare desk by celebrated Mexican designer and woodworker Don Shoemaker, model no F46. Designed in 1970s and executed in 1981, the desk is constructed with patchwork of ...
Category

1980s Mexican Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood

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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Related Items
20th Spanish Trunk, Blanket Chest with Raised Wooden Panels and Iron Hardware
Located in Miami, FL
20th Spanish trunk with raised wooden panels and original iron hardware A Spanish carved wood blanket chest from the 20th century. This an...
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Don S. Shoemaker Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Iron

Mid-Century Tufted Cedar and Walnut Chest by Lane
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Add a touch of classic sophistication to your home with the Mid-Century Modern Tufted Cedar and Walnut Chest by Lane. Expertly crafted with a rich walnut frame and a beautifully tuft...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Cedar

Danish Modern Style Credenza
Located in Denton, TX
Made by G Plan in England low four door teak credenza with one shelf on each side.
Category

20th Century English Modern Don S. Shoemaker Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany, Teak

Danish Modern Style Credenza
Danish Modern Style Credenza
H 21.25 in W 64 in D 18.25 in
Antique 19th Century Dovetail Joints Secretary Drop Front Desk w Drawers Dresser
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Antique 19th Century Dovetail Joints Secretary Drop Front desk w drawers dresser.
Category

19th Century American Federal Antique Don S. Shoemaker Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

Storage Chest - "Linen Basket" by Pierre Jeanneret
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
The linen storage chest, usually called as “Dirty Linen basket”, circa 1955-1956. This box was designed by Pierre Jeanneret in the mid-century for the M.L.A. Flats building in Chan...
Category

Mid-20th Century Indian Don S. Shoemaker Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Rattan, Teak

Vintage Mexican Modern Coffee/Cocktail Table by Don Shoemaker, Cocobolo Rosewood
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Round Rock, TX
Parquet top coffee table designed by Don S. Shoemaker for Senal S.A. Mexico 1960's. A beautiful example of Don Shoemaker’s craftsmanship, this smaller scale coffee table showcases ...
Category

1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Rosewood, Cocobolo

1970s Custom-Made Exotic Wood Side Table Style Don Shoemaker Mexico
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Custom-made Exotic Wood Side Table Style of Don Shoemaker Mexico Single hand-crafted side table exotic wood 17.25 x 16.5 d x 16.25 Original preowned vintage condition See image...
Category

1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Cedar Chest By Cavalier
By Cavalier
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Discover the perfect blend of beauty and functionality with this exquisite cedar chest by Cavalier. Crafted with premium cedar wood, this chest not only offers ample storage space fo...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Don Shoemaker Style Mexican Modern Coffee Table
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Restored 1970s Don Shoemaker Style Walnut and Cane Coffee Table with Glass Top This beautifully restored walnut and cane coffee table, crafted in the 1970s, exemplifies the timeless...
Category

1970s Mexican Other Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Rattan, Glass, Walnut

Tufted Cedar Hope Chest by Lane Furniture
By Lane Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bench chest by Lane Furniture, with black cushioned bench top. Flip top action with cedar wood lining. Great for storage and seating! Please confirm...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Walnut, Wood, Cedar

Tufted Cedar Hope Chest by Lane Furniture
Tufted Cedar Hope Chest by Lane Furniture
H 17.63 in W 53.88 in D 18.13 in
Antique Spanish Colonial Period Leather Carved Cedar Travel Chest
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce 300-year-old Spanish Colonial period leather clad and carved travel chest with beautifully aged patina. circa 1725 Born in the first half o...
Category

17th Century Spanish Colonial Antique Don S. Shoemaker Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Iron

Mid-century Rosewood Credenza
Located in Oakland, CA
Mid Century rosewood credenza crafted of faded rosewood with three drawers on left, pair of cabinet doors in center for bottle storage, an...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Rosewood

Mid-century Rosewood Credenza
Mid-century Rosewood Credenza
H 28.5 in W 84 in D 18.75 in
Previously Available Items
Rare Don Shoemaker Cocobolo Executive Desk, Mexico, circa 1960s.
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in San Antonio, TX
Rare Cocobolo executive desk by Don Shoemaker, Mexico, circa 1960s. Timeless and of the highest quality this mid-century modern desk is constructed with a patchwork parquetry look ac...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Don S. Shoemaker Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Cocobolo

1960s Don Shoemaker "Sling" Credenza
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, MX
1960s Don Shoemaker sling credenza in perfect all original condition. Organic design. Amazing wood. Great quality. Comes with "SEÑAL" label.
Category

1960s Mexican Organic Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Hardwood

1960s Don Shoemaker "Sling" Credenza
1960s Don Shoemaker "Sling" Credenza
H 35.44 in W 72.05 in D 23.63 in
Rosewood Diamond Desk and Chair by Don Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Atlanta, GA
A diamond desk and a matching armchair designed and made by Don Shoemaker in Mexico, circa 1960s. Made from solid Mexican rosewood cocobolo, the desk features a patchwork top surface...
Category

1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Don S. Shoemaker Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Cocobolo, Leather, Rosewood

Don S. Shoemaker case pieces and storage cabinets for sale on 1stDibs.

Don S. Shoemaker case pieces and storage cabinets 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 case pieces and storage cabinets, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original case pieces and storage cabinets by Don S. Shoemaker were created in the modern style in north america during the 20th century. Prices for Don S. Shoemaker case pieces and storage cabinets can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $4,500 and can go as high as $16,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $10,250.
Questions About Don S. Shoemaker Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
  • 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.

Recently Viewed

View All