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Senal

Mexican

If it weren’t for his honeymoon, American furniture designer Don S. Shoemaker and his company, Señal S.A., 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, Shoemaker started a small factory, producing hand-carved desksarmchairsdining room tables, decorative boxes and bowls, and serveware. The popularity of Shoemaker’s furnishings grew throughout Mexico, and his modest factory became Señal S.A., 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 from 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 Señal S.A. tables, lounge chairs and other furniture.

Don Shoemaker for Senal S.A. Cocobolo Rosewood Leather Sofa, Mid Century
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare rosewood and leather sofa, very comfortable and in great condition, Don Shoemaker (Rosewood up to 10kg can be shipped worldwide, no paperwork is necessary for this shipment) A s...
Category

1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Senal

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Don Shoemaker Solid Cocobolo Bookends for Señal, Mexico, c.1965
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Don Shoemaker Solid Cocobolo Bookends for Señal, Mexico, c.1965.
Category

20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Senal

Materials

Wood, Cocobolo

Don Shoemaker Sling Chair
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
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
Category

20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Senal

Materials

Leather, Cocobolo

Don Shoemaker Sling Chair
Don Shoemaker Sling Chair
$2,750
H 27.75 in W 22.5 in D 19 in
Don Shoemaker Sculpted Rosewood & Leather Coffee Table for Señal Furniture
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Category

1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Senal

Materials

Leather, Rosewood, Cocobolo

Don Shoemaker Sloucher Rosewood & Leather Sling Chairs for Señal, S.A., 1960s
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Cedar Falls, IA
For your consideration, a pair of 1960s Don Shoemaker Sloucher lounge chairs, in solid cocobolo rosewood and black leather. Iconic example of Organi...
Category

1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Senal

Materials

Leather, Rosewood, Cocobolo

Mid-Century Mexican Modern Don Shoemaker Senal SA Sling Swinger Chairs Set of 4
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Forney, TX
A magnificent set of four rare original Mid-Century Modern Mexican bocote wood and black leather "Swingers" by legendary designer Don S. Shoemaker (1919-1990) This iconic Modernist ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Senal

Materials

Leather, Wood

Don Shoemaker for Senal Folding / Adjustable Chairs in Rosewood & Leather 1960s
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A sculptural pair of mid-century folding arm chairs (priced individually) by celebrated Mexican designer Don Shoemaker for Señal S.A., crafted circa 1960s. These handcrafted armchair...
Category

1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Senal

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Don Shoemaker for Senal Folding / Adjustable Chairs in Rosewood & Leather 1960s
Don Shoemaker for Senal Folding / Adjustable Chairs in Rosewood & Leather 1960s
$3,920 Sale Price / item
20% Off
H 36.5 in W 24 in D 23.5 in
Cocobolo Dining Table by Don S. Shoemaker
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
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 statement. The table’s resolutely modern silhouette—its geometric facets crafted from staved Cocobolo slats—reveals a painterly interplay of deep chocolate tones and fiery grain, each plane aligned to celebrate the wood’s inherent drama. The hexagonal—or subtly offset—top appears as if carved from a single, shifting block, perched atop a dynamic pedestal that seems to defy gravity with its angular geometry and counterbalance. Lovingly restored by in-house artisans, the surface bears a seamless patchwork of rosewood that evokes the finest parquetry, each segment chosen for contrast and continuity. Its pedestal—masterfully hollowed to allow surprising lightness—locks effortlessly into place with an ingenious rail-and-notch system, free of bolts or screws, ensuring both stability and ease of placement. This piece exudes the charisma of mid-century Mexican modernism, where brutalist intensity meets refined craftsmanship. Measuring approximately 96 inches in width by 53½ inches in depth and standing 30¼ inches high, it offers an expansive platform without overpowering space—a stage for grand conversation or quiet majesty. Don S. Shoemaker, born in Nebraska and educated at the Art Institute of Chicago, found his true creative voice only upon settling in Mexico after his honeymoon. There, amid the luminous landscapes of Michoacán, he founded Señal S.A., turning tropical hardwoods into modernist treasures. His Diamond Line and “Z”-shaped forms, constructed in cocobolo and other precious woods, remain a rare and influential chapter in 20th-century design. Wanna be a bond villain in real life? Well here's your chance. Certain pieces just command respect and deserve appreciation for their flawless design. "WTF?" is typically the first thing uttered when people see this on our showroom floor. A literal jaw-droppper, regardless of whether installing as a dining table, desk or conference table. Lovingly restored by our in-house cabinet shop, this cocobolo wood table by Don S. Shoemaker is a rare find. Geometry and brutalism intertwine to form an architectural masterpiece of function and form. Staved slats of offset cocobolo form a brilliant patchwork that covers every visible inch of both the top and bottom sections. The grain and color tones vary in each slat to create a stunning visual contrast throughout. The pedestal and top separate easily without any screws or bolts. The table top has a grid-work of rails underneath that sink into corresponding notches on the base. The base is brilliantly assembled with a hollow interior to keep the weight to a minimum. This massive construction is surprisingly totable, without compromising rigidity or stability. Although we're uncertain on the production quantity, the total number is probably quite minuscule. Tagged with its original label and numbered #6 in several locations. About the designer: Furniture designer Don Shoemaker was born in Nebraska to an affluent family. During the 1930s, he studied at the Art Institute of Chicago. In the late 1940s, he married and subsequently, on his honeymoon, fell in love with Mexico. He loved the country so much that later in the 1940s, he moved to Mexico with his wife. Shoemaker lived and painted in a town called Santa Maria de Guido, overseeing the City of Morelia in Michoacán. Don and his wife Barbara lived in harmony with nature, growing many rare plants in their greenhouse. Don became inspired by the tropical woods of Mexico and began to manufacture furniture from these precious timbers. What began as a small factory in the late 1950s became known as Señal S.A and grew to where Don employed more than a hundred skilled artisans. Soon he became an important figure in the economic and cultural life of his adopted town. Señal S.A brought new wealth and an economic boost to the town, and Dom was known for his warm and charitable heart. The furniture designed for Señal S.A by Don were modern interpretations of traditional Mexican furnishings. Many of his iconic designs were inspired by traditional Mexican woodwork. The pieces made from Cocobolo, a Mexican rosewood, and other precious woods were highly sought after. The furniture was exported to showrooms in Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, and large Mexican cities. His designs were liked very much by wealthy Mexican families...
Category

1960s Mexican Post-Modern Vintage Senal

Materials

Cocobolo

Cocobolo Dining Table by Don S. Shoemaker
Cocobolo Dining Table by Don S. Shoemaker
$20,213 Sale Price
24% Off
H 30.25 in W 53.5 in D 96 in
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Senal Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMaterialCreation Year
2025$680BookendsWood, Cocobolocirca 1965
2025$3,315Sofa TablesRosewood1960
2025$895Serving PiecesWood, Mahogany, Rosewood1960s
2024$385Decorative BoxesHardwood1970
$1,319
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$385-$3,315
Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

Creators Similar to Senal

Senal furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Senal furniture 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 Senal furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Senal were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Michael van Beuren, Pedro Friedeberg, and Eugenio Escudero. Prices for Senal furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $225 and can go as high as $3,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $925.

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