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.
Modernist Sofa Table by Don S. Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Minneapolis, MN
A modernist piece designed in Mexico by Don S Schumacher. Exotic Cocobolo wood that could easily be mistaken for rosewood. Lacquer finish. The perfect corner maker for a sofa...
Cocobolo
$4,800 / set
Two Rosewood Nesting Tables, Don Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Atlanta, GA
A set of two nesting tables made by Don Shoemaker for Señal, Mexico, circa 1960s. Heavy cubist construction with minimalist form and exposed dove joins and point joints. The surface...
Cocobolo
$6,240
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 Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
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
French Modernist Cerused Side Table
Located in Westport, CT
Lovely Modernist square two-tiered table with strong and simple geometric forms Date: 1940ca Origin: France Dimension: 19 3/4? square, 21 1/2? high.
Oak
Modernist Bronze Drinks Table, Contemporary
Located in Westport, CT
Modernist Drinks Table with a thick beveled and polished lens cut glass top floating on a graceful tripod base frame with a small brass handle de...
Brass
Handcrafted Modernist Side Drink Table
By SUM Furniture
Located in London, GB
Beautifully hand-turned and handcrafted in solid English Ash, this side table is a sculptural study in form, texture, and material. Designed and made by our craftsman in England, the...
Ash
Set of 3 French Black Glass and Brass Nesting Tables
By Maison Jansen
Located in Buchanan, NY
This set of three French nesting tables is a beautiful blend of black glass and brass, reflecting the distinctive style of Maison Jansen. Dating back to the 1940s, these tables featu...
Brass
Nesting Side Table Set by J.M. Szymanski in Blackened Steel
By J.M. Szymanski
Located in Bronx, NY
Table No. 1 - Nesting Set J.M. Szymanski d. 2017 A striking design composed of two separate side tables. Each table has only two legs! This nesting side table set...
Steel, Iron
Pair Of Nesting Tables
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Located in NY.
Metal, Iron
Modernist Chinoiserie Style End Table
By Drexel
Located in Denton, TX
Modernist Chinoiserie design by Drexel Heritage with an embossed composite Asian scene on top of a parquet pattern parsons table base.
Gold Leaf
$2,475
H 26 in W 21 in D 21 in
Modernist Geometric Triangular Side/ Accent Table in Burled Walnut by Pace
By Leon Rosen
Located in New York, NY
This graphic and refined modernist side/ accent table was realized in the United States by Pace Created by two adjoined volumetric rectilinear burled walnut pieces that meet at a ri...
Walnut
Midcentury Burled Nesting Tables by Directional
By Directional
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic Mid Century Parsons style nesting tables made by Directional in thick burl veneer over solid wood cores. Very well crafted and solid feeling with corner blocking. The tops ma...
Burl
Wonderful Set of 3 Big Aldo Tura Nesting Tables
By Aldo Tura
Located in Munich, DE
Lacquered goatskin with wooden legs.
Goatskin, Wood
Modernist End Table with Shelf
By Brendan Bass
Located in Dallas, TX
Minimalist end table made from solid black steel with ebonized black oak top. Designed by Brendan Bass for the Vision and Design Collection, by using high quality materials and text...
Steel
Rare Modernist Side Table by Jansen, 1970s
By Maison Jansen
Located in New York, NY
Rare modernist side table by Jansen, the polished wood framed mirrored top raised on aluminum sheathed wood base with tapering legs. Signed, with serial numbers. Only one available D...
Aluminum
Handcrafted English Walnut Modernist End Table
Located in London, GB
Handcrafted from the finest English walnut. These modernist low tables are acutely eye-catching but practical pieces of furniture. Bespoke handmade by master craftsmen in England and...
Walnut
$20,212Sale Price|25% Off
H 30.25 in W 53.5 in D 96 in
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
Pair of Descanso Side Tables by Don Shoemaker for Señal in Cueramo Wood
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of side tables from Don Shoemaker’s “Descanso” line produced in highly figured cueramo wood. The blocky construction and broad planes of the frame showcase the almost marbled ...
Leather, Hardwood
Don Shoemaker Studio End Table with Parquet Top, Mexico 1960s
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Camden, ME
Unusual hand crafted end table by Don Shoemaker for Senal S.A. , Mexico from the 1960's. A lyrically sculpted base from strongly figured cocobolo is topped with a parquet top of c...
Cocobolo, Mahogany, Rosewood, Zebra Wood