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.
$20,212Sale Price|25% Off
Cocobolo Dining Table by Don S. Shoemaker, 1960s Modern Design
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Chattanooga, TN
An architectural marvel in living form, this Cocobolo rosewood dining table by Don S. Shoemaker for Señal, Mexico, commands attention as both functional object and sculptural stateme...
Cocobolo
$6,282
H 15.75 in W 72.05 in D 24.02 in
Don S. Shoemaker Cocobolo Parquet Coffee Table for Señal S.A., Mexico 1960s
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Debrecen, HU
An exceptional large-scale cocobolo parquet coffee table designed by Don S. Shoemaker for Señal S.A., Mexico, circa 1960s. The long, low rectangular top is composed of numerous small...
Cocobolo
$18,995 / item
H 30 in W 132 in D 48 in
FLOAT DINING TABLE - Modern Bleached White Oak Dining Table w/ Silver Leaf Bases
By Susan Hornbeak-Ortiz
Located in Laguna Niguel, CA
FLOAT DINING TABLE - Modern Bleached White Oak Dining Table w/ Silver Leaf Bases The Float Dining Table is a stunning and modern piece of furniture...
Silver Leaf
Large Post Modern Oval Dining Table after Evans
By Paul Evans, Milo Baughman
Located in New York, NY
Spectacular oval dining table on Cityscape like architectural brass base, with inset oval glass top, on solid oak racetrack molding. Impressive scale, top quality design and construc...
Brass
Artedi Post Modern Marble Glass Dining Table
By Artedi
Located in Sheffield, MA
Made in Italy, this 20th century glass, marble and brass accented dining table by noted Italian furniture maker, Artedi, makes a statement in ...
Marble, Brass
$1,022
H 29.34 in W 90.95 in D 33.86 in
Dining Table Made In Teak With Extensions, Danish Design From 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
This Danish-designed dining table from the 1960s showcases the timeless elegance and functional craftsmanship synonymous with mid-century modern style. Crafted from teak, a favored m...
Teak
Mid Century Modern Dining Room Table in Walnut by Arthur Umanoff
By Arthur Umanoff, Dillingham Manufacturing Company
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A clean line dining table by Arthur Umanoff circa 1960's. It features beautiful walnut wood construction. It comes with one 18 inch leaves not...
Walnut
Iconoclast Modern Hardwood Dining Table by Izm Design
By Izm Design
Located in Edmonton, Alberta
The Iconoclast dining table is made of 100% solid, hardwood and features a unique pedestal base. This piece commands attention and is the perfect centre piece for any open plan dinin...
Hardwood
$2,800
H 26 in W 48 in D 48 in
1960s Charles Eames Herman Miller Round Black Conference or Dining Table
Located in Monrovia, CA
1960s Charles Eames aluminum group conference or dining table with segmented solid aluminum four star base. this sleek and elegant design by Charles and Ray Eames complements any ho...
Aluminum, Steel
$21,370 / item
H 30 in W 120 in D 42 in
STACKED DINING TABLE - Modern Wooden Dining Table with Metal Inlay and Bases
By Susan Hornbeak-Ortiz
Located in Laguna Niguel, CA
STACKED DINING TABLE - Modern Wooden Dining Table with Metal Inlay and Bases The Stacked Dining Table is a modern piece of furniture that draws i...
Metal
Rosewood and Marble Table, Don Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Atlanta, GA
A square dining or game table by Don Shoemaker for Senal, Mexico, circa 1970. Solid Mexican rosewood Cocobolo frame with carved organic forms and join...
Marble
Mid-Century Walnut Dining Table by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, 1960s
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century rectangular walnut dining / conference table with rounded corners and two expansion leaves, resting on four sabre legs. (T.H. ROBSJOHN-GIBBINGS FOR WIDDICOMB FURNITURE CO...
Wood, Walnut
Expanding Walnut Dining Table of Midcentury Design
By Petersen Antiques
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large walnut dining table with extension leaf (100" x 60", expanding to 128" x 60). with beautifully matched, solid walnut planks. Because each table is bench-made in our own Los A...
Walnut
Iconoclast Modern Walnut Dining Table by Izm
By Izm Design
Located in Edmonton, Alberta
This is a one time offer for an Iconoclast between 104 & 116" with a width of 40-48" in either natural or smoke walnut. Priced well below retail. The Iconoclast dining table is made...
Walnut
Modern Industrial Dining/Conference Table
Located in Oakville, CT
One wide board Angelim Pedra table Overall dimensions - 36" x 96" x 28 1/2" high.
Iron
Dining Table Made In Rosewood, Danish Design From 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
The dining table crafted in luxurious rosewood epitomizes the elegance and sophistication of Danish design during the 1960s. Characterized by clean lines, organic shapes, and exquis...
Rosewood