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 Don Shoemaker "El Rostro" Signed Color Etching Limited Edition of 22
By Don S. Shoemaker, Diego Rivera
Located in San Diego, CA
Very hard to come by color etching by famous Mexican furniture designer Don Shoemaker, dating from 1950. Hand signed, numbered and titled on...
Modernist Don Shoemaker "El Cargador" Signed Color Etching Limited Edition of 22
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in San Diego, CA
Very hard to come by color etching by famous Mexican furniture designer Don Shoemaker, dating from 1951. Hand signed, numbered and titled on...
Modernist Don Shoemaker "El Padre" Signed Color Etching Limited Edition of 22
By Don S. Shoemaker, Diego Rivera
Located in San Diego, CA
Very hard to come by color etching by famous Mexican furniture designer Don Shoemaker, dating from 1950. Hand signed, numbered and titled on...
$21,905Sale Price|34% Off
H 27.17 in W 29.53 in D 2.56 in
Oil Painting of a Horse Standing Proud in Woodland, signed by the Royal Artist
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
Fine Art, Charles Henry Scwanfelder (1774-1837). Signed C H Schwanfelder Pinx and dated 1825. An exceptional portrait of a horse standing proud in woodland, in front of a tree-lined vista incorporating cows residing by a stream. Charles born in England, the son of a German decorative painter started his career helping his father painting clock faces and snuff boxes and became renowned in his own right for his animal paintings, later being appointed by George III and George IV. Exhibiting at the Royal Academy between 1809 and 1814. His works can be found at - Temple Newsam House, Lotherton Hall, York Museum trust, National Trust, Florence Court, Leeds City Museum and Galleries, The Ferens Art Gallery and Newstead Abbey...
Paint
$2,000
H 36.23 in W 18.51 in D 22.84 in
Rare Chair Hand Painted by Mexican Mid-Century Modernist Don Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare an amazing chair hand painted designed by Don Shoemaker, circa 1960, includes
Wood, Pine
Don Shoemaker Sling Chair
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Denton, TX
The iconic beautiful mexican modern Don Shoemaker "sling" chair. Made for Señal S.A. Made from solid Cocobolo Wood with original black leather. Made in the 1960s
Leather, Cocobolo
Don Shoemaker Perno Safari Chair
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Leather safari lounge chair by Don Shoemaker for Señal, c.1960s, Mexico. The chair features a rosewood cocobolo frame and original patinated black leather hide. Leather showcases a s...
Leather, Rosewood, Cocobolo
Rare Mexican Small Folding Stool Attributed to Don Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Amazing, rare and interesting folding stool, it can be used as magazine rack, circa 1960.
Pine
$2,900Sale Price|34% Off
H 33 in W 30.5 in D 30 in
Don Shoemaker for Senal S.A. Cocobolo Rosewood 'Swinger' Rocking Chair, Signed
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Named the 'Swinger Chair' for its pivoting mechanism that allows you to swing in your seat, this incredible cocobolo rosewood and black leather 'Swinger' rocking armchair by leading 1960s modernist designer Don Shoemaker for Senal S.A. (Mexico) is highly sought after by interior designers and avid collectors alike. The thick black leather hides used for the sling are complemented with leather buttons connecting the sling to the frame of the chair. Matching black leather removable seat cushion has beautiful patina as can be seen in the photos. Artistically sculpted exotic cocobolo rosewood put together in an eye catching and interesting biomorphic form with shoemaker's signature rosewood insert accents for the feet and upper back of the chair. Exceptional craftsmanship utilizing innovative links and joints. Metal brackets connecting the seat to the frame allow the chair to gently rock - consider this as a nursing chair for the design-centric home. Senal S.A. label on lower bar of chair. Mexican modern is a style that fits incredibly well with Mid-Century Modern, Scandanavian or Danish Modern, Brazilian Modern, and Hollywood Regency. It is also a great addition for interior designers to turn an otherwise simple contemporary space and add a splash of wild and interesting. Whether you are designing a Mid-Century Modern home, contemporary, post-modern or french neoclassical apartment, this Don Shoemaker Swinger...
Leather, Rosewood
Mexican Mid-Century Modernist Don Shoemaker Chair
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare an amazing chair designed by Don Shoemaker, circa 1960.
Wood, Pine
$5,200 / set
H 32.5 in W 31 in D 28.5 in
Don Shoemaker Sling "Swinger" Chair and Ottoman, Mexico 1960s
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Camden, ME
A Classic 20th century chair and ottoman from one of the great craftsman's workshops of Mexico: Senal, S.A., Don Shoemaker's tropical paradise in Michoacan, Mexico. This iconic chai...
Leather, Cocobolo
$4,295
H 27.25 in W 23.25 in D 27 in
Restored Mid-Century Don Shoemaker "Sloucher" Sling Chair For Senal S.A.
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Fort Collins, CO
Rare and incredibly iconic “Sloucher” sling chair by furniture Don Shoemaker for Senal S.A. This chair was originally part of a pair that were in a house fire. This piece has been c...
Leather, Cocobolo
20th Century Signed Still Life Pencil Drawing
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful, evocative Pencil Drawing Still Life with Flowers and Butterfly Early 20th century Signed at lower right The painting is embellished by a beautiful nineteenth-century la...
Wood, Paper
1960s Mexican Vintage Lounge Chair by Don Shoemaker
Located in Victoria, BC
A sculptural icon of 1960s Mexican modernism, this lounge chair by Don Shoemaker for Señal S.A. showcases the designer’s signature organic lines and masterful craftsmanship. Carved f...
Cocobolo
Don Shoemaker Folding Arm Chair, Mexico c.1960
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Two available. Price per chair. Please message. Original folding arm chairs designed by Don Shoemaker for Senal SA. Can be used as dining chair or accent chair. The chair is...
Rosewood, Teak
Don Shoemaker for Señal Inlay Trivet
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An "x" trivet by designer Don Shoemaker for Señal of Mexico. The trivet is composed of varied exotic rosewoods inlaid in a linear pattern. ...
Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Exotic Hardwood Serving Tray
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Denton, TX
This tray is a combination of different exotic hardwoods handcrafted in Mexico, 1970s.
Wood
Don Shoemaker Exotic Wood Inlaid Tray for Señal, circa 1970
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Exquisitely crafted slim rectangular shape tray designed by Don Shoemaker for Señal of Mexico. Taking advantage of the expertise provided by Mexican artisans, Shoemaker founded Señ...
Jacaranda, Rosewood, Cocobolo
Sold
H 1.25 in W 21.75 in D 12.5 in
Midcentury Mexican Modernism Don Shoemaker Service Tray Exotic Woods
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Chula Vista, CA
A one of a kind service tray constructed with exotic woods. Produced and designed by Don Shoemaker. Tray has a label on the back. It has a round cuts off section on the back so i...
Wood
Don Shoemaker Large Exotic Wood Inlaid Tray for Señal, circa 1970
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Exquisitely crafted slim rectangular shape tray designed by Don Shoemaker for Sen~al of Mexico. Taking advantage of the expertise provided by Mexican artisans, Shoemaker founded Sen~...
Jacaranda, Rosewood, Cocobolo