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.
Chest F15 by Don Shoemaker
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 Gui...
Wood
Wunderbrust, Chest of Wonders Leather and Wood Chest-Ottoman
By DOC, Matteo Cibic
Located in Roma, IT
For Operæ – Independent design festival eighth edition, Secondome under the artistic direction of Claudia Pignatale, presents “WUNDERBRUST” a project by Matteo Cibic, crafted by DOC....
Leather, Wood
Queen Anne Cedar Hope Chest by Lane Furniture
By Lane Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Simple yet ornate, this traditional cedar hope chest has all the features that made Virginia’s Lane Furniture one of the biggest names in 20th century American woodworking. Built in ...
Wood, Hardwood, Mahogany, Cedar
$3,500
H 13.5 in W 18 in D 10.5 in
18th Century Spanish Colonial Leather Carved Cedar Antique Small Chest Coffer
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce fine 300-year-old Spanish Colonial era hand carved & leather clad cedar travel chest / coffer, with warm rich dark honey colored patina. circa 1725 A rare and wonderful pie...
Iron, Wrought Iron
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...
Wood
'Staccato' Cedar Chest by Lane Furniture
By Lane Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Three dimensional mid-century modern cedar chest by Lane Furniture. Part of their 'Staccato' line, which features a mosaic front, push button top, and cedar lined inside. Please conf...
Walnut
$3,398
H 19.3 in W 41.34 in D 18.9 in
Gothic Style Blanket Chest in Solid Oakwood by Danish Cabinetmaker, 1950s
Located in Odense, DK
Blanket chest made by a Danish Cabinetmaker in the 1950s. Executed in beautifully patinated oak. Front with decorative reliefs in the Gothic style. Lid with wedges at both ends. Very...
Oak
Mid-Century Modern Cedar Lined Chest by Lane Furniture
By Lane Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bring timeless mid-century style and practical storage into your home with this vintage cedar chest by Lane Furniture, a brand well known for its quality craftsmanship and iconic bla...
Wood
Gothic Period Oak Chest 15 Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
exceptional late 15th century/early 16th century carved oak Gothic period chest from Northern of France. Very fine example of a flamboyant Gothic style chest with a superb carved f...
Oak
Oriental Carved Camphor Wood Chest This Beautiful Carved Chest
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Oriental Carved Camphor Wood Chest This Beautiful Carved Chest is made from Camphor Wood, for those of you who do not know camphor wood it is a hard wood which lends itself very wel...
Fruitwood
Chippendale Blanket Chest
Located in East Aurora, NY
A great example of a large Pine six board 18th century Chippendale blanket chest. This piece has an excellent color and patina on an older refinish and has been cleaned and waxed. D...
Pine
English Blanket Chest
Located in Westwood, NJ
An early English style oak blanket chest, the moulded edge top, above a panelled back and sides, the front carved with ovals and lozenges on stile supports with ogee spandrels. The o...
Wood
Vintage Figured Walnut Cedar Chest by Dillingham Mfg. Co
By Dillingham Manufacturing Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage figured walnut cedar chest by Dillingham Manufacturing Company. Showcasing a beautifully bookmatched figured walnut veneer front, this elegant chest highlights the rich grain...
Walnut