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Senal Decorative Objects

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.

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Creator: Senal
Don Shoemaker - Senal Exotic Mixed Hardwoods Rosewood Trinket Box Made in Mexico
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by eccentric woodworker and designer Don Shoemaker, this trinket box was made by Senal in Mexico. It employs a cacophany of exotic woods, including cocobolo, jacaranda, and ...
Category

1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Senal Decorative Objects

Materials

Jacaranda, Mahogany, Rosewood, Cocobolo

Don Shoemaker Exotic Wood Inlaid Decorative Briefcase for Señal, circa 1970
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Exquisitely crafted slim decorative briefcase designed by Don Shoemaker for Señal of Mexico. Taking advantage of the expertise provided by Mexican artisans, shoemaker founded Señal w...
Category

1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Senal Decorative Objects

Materials

Jacaranda, Rosewood, Cocobolo

Set of 2 Candlesticks by Don Shoemaker
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
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 Guido...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Scandinavian Modern Senal Decorative Objects

Materials

Hardwood

Don Shoemaker Cocobolo Pencil Holder for Señal, Mexico, 1980s
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Don Shoemaker Cocobolo Pencil Holder for Señal, Mexico, 1980s. Makers label to the bottom.
Category

20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Senal Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood, Cocobolo

1970s Don Shoemaker for Señal Carved Root Wood Box Mexico
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Free form lidded box designer Don Shoemaker Mexico Retains original label Señal Cocobolo root wood 6.5 h x 4 d x 10 w Original vintage unrestored condition. Expect signs of vin...
Category

1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Senal Decorative Objects

Materials

Cocobolo, Wood

60's Don S Shoemaker for Senal Carved Rosewood Tic-tac-toe Game Mexico Sculpture
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in San Diego, CA
Fantastic hand made Don S. Shoemaker designed tic-tac-toe game for Senal and dates from the 1960's. Made of beautiful rosewood. Has the original artists tag on the bottom. The game i...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Senal Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood, Rosewood

Early Vintage Rosewood Salt and Pepper Shaker Set by Don Shoemaker
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-Century Modern abstract salt and pepper shakers designed by Don Shoemaker for Señal, S.A. Mexico. This set is handmade in rosewood with unique brass ring dispensers that makes fo...
Category

1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Senal Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Don Shoemaker Parquetry Work Box for Senal SA, Mexico, Label
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great parquetry box, designed for Don Shoemaker, label, Senal SA.
Category

1960s Mexican Modern Vintage Senal Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

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A beautifully styled Tic-Tac-Do Board in solid brass. A perfectly designed piece to play, but even better, the piece can sit on a console, cocktail table or great icebreaker for the...
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20th Century Modern Senal Decorative Objects

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"Lorenzo" Riveted Leather Pencil Holder by Claude Bouchard for Oscar Maschera
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"Lorenzo" is a riveted leather pencil holder, designed by Claude Bouchard and manufactured by Oscar Maschera. Genuine Italian leather vegetable t...
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21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Senal Decorative Objects

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Metal

1960s Emil Milan Rosewood Brass Table Lighter Sculpture American Studio Craft
By Emil Milan
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful and rare large table lighter by Emil Milan in E.T. rosewood. Lighter is not functioning, will need flint and fuel.
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Senal Decorative Objects

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Wood

Tessellated Abalone Shell Brass Inlaid Cigarette Tobacco Trinket Box Mexico
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Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
1950s mahogany lined brass and tessellated abalone cigarette box from Mexico.
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Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Senal Decorative Objects

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Brass

An amaranth Wood Jewelry Box - Apple Shape - France 1970s
By Odile Noll
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
An unique jewelry box made of turned amaranth wood in the shape of an apple. Opens in two to store small items like jewelry, rings, earrings, pills, coins, etc. Elegant design with ...
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1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Senal Decorative Objects

Materials

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"Antonio" Leather Pencil Holder Designed by Claude Bouchard for Oscar Maschera
By Oscar Maschera, Claude Bouchard
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"Antonio" is a leather pencil holder, designed by Claude Bouchard and manufactured by Oscar Maschera, and is part of Foglia Couture collection. G...
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21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Senal Decorative Objects

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Don Shoemaker Bookends for Señal
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 Guido...
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1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Senal Decorative Objects

Materials

Hardwood

Don Shoemaker Bookends for Señal
Don Shoemaker Bookends for Señal
H 4.73 in W 6.5 in D 5.12 in
Walter Bosse pencil holder around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse pencil holder around 1950 Original condition Pencil not included
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Senal Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse pencil holder around 1950s
Walter Bosse pencil holder around 1950s
H 3.55 in W 1.58 in D 1.97 in
Vintage Deed Box, English, Art Deco, Iron, Document, Deposit, Chest, circa 1930
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage deed box. An English, Art Deco iron document or deposit chest, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1930. Displays a desirable age...
Category

Early 20th Century English Art Deco Senal Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Iron

Vintage Wooden Storage Box Root Wood Hazelnut Decoration
Located in Poperinge, BE
Vintage wooden storage box made of root wood veneer, the box has black wooden inlay and hazelnut decoration in relief, first half of the 20th century. Decorative object made of high...
Category

Early 20th Century European Baroque Senal Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Wood Room Divider After Alvar Aalto, circa 1970
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Rustic wood room divider, circa 1930 By unknown artisan, France. Wood Room Divider After Alvar Aalto, circa 1970 By unknown manufacturer. In original condition, with minor wear co...
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1970s French Rustic Vintage Senal Decorative Objects

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Wood

1970s Petite Silver Trinket Box Mother of Pearl & Abalone Mexico
By Los Castillo
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents Tiny Rose Silver Trinket Box Mother of Pearl & Abalone Shell interior Mahogany wood alpaca silver metal Mexico stamped Alpaca 1.13 h x 2 3/16 d x 3.13 Good vintage ...
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Late 20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Senal Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Previously Available Items
Don Shoemaker Petite Hinged Lid Box for Señal
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rectangular Cocobolo box by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal, c.1960s, Mexico. Shoemaker is known for his use of exotic Mexican hardwoods and this hinged lid box is a beautiful ex...
Category

1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Senal Decorative Objects

Materials

Cocobolo

Don Shoemaker Spice Rack for Señal SA
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
In theory, this piece was part of a set of kitchen spice racks, the lid is missing, it can be used as a storage for pens or a sweet bowl Born in Nebraska, ...
Category

1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Senal Decorative Objects

Materials

Hardwood

Don Shoemaker Spice Rack for Señal SA
Don Shoemaker Spice Rack for Señal SA
H 6.7 in W 4.14 in D 4.14 in
Don Shoemaker Cocobolo Vessel
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Don Shoemaker Cocobolo vessel for Señal, c.1960s, Mexico. The hand carved minimalist vessel features a rippled body with soft rounded edges and an eye catching wood grain. CITES Not...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Senal Decorative Objects

Materials

Cocobolo

Don Shoemaker for Señal Marquetry Paper Tray
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cocobolo paper tray with geometric pattern by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal, c.1960s, Mexico. Shoemaker is known for the marquetry in his work, which is clearly visible in the ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Senal Decorative Objects

Materials

Cocobolo, Rosewood, Hardwood

Don Shoemaker for Señal Marquetry Paper Tray
Don Shoemaker for Señal Marquetry Paper Tray
H 2.25 in W 14.25 in D 10.25 in
Don Shoemaker for Señal Large Decorative Tray with Chevron Stripe
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rosewood serving tray with integrated handles by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal in the 1960s. The surface of the tray has a pixelated chevron-patterned parquet detail in exoti...
Category

1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Senal Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood, Rosewood, Cocobolo

Pair of Don Shoemaker Block Candle Holders
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Don Shoemaker for Señal cocobolo candle holders. The hand carved minimalist rosewood candle holders feature a geometric block design with circular carving in the center for a...
Category

1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Senal Decorative Objects

Materials

Cocobolo, Rosewood

Pair of Don Shoemaker Block Candle Holders
Pair of Don Shoemaker Block Candle Holders
H 1.75 in W 1.75 in D 1.75 in
Set of Three Don Shoemaker Cocobolo Block Candle Holders
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of three Don Shoemaker for Señal cocobolo candle holders. The hand carved minimalist rosewood candle holders feature a geometric block design with circular cutout design on each ...
Category

1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Senal Decorative Objects

Materials

Cocobolo

Don Shoemaker Rosewood Block Vessel
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Don Shoemaker block vessel for Señal Rosewood vessel. The hand carved minimalist vessel features a geometric block design with circular carving in the center of the vessel. Labeled ...
Category

1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Senal Decorative Objects

Materials

Rosewood

Don Shoemaker for Señal Narrow Decorative Tray
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A narrow serving tray by Don Shoemaker for Senal of Mexico. The tray has a dark rosewood frame with integrated handles at either end, and the t...
Category

1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Senal Decorative Objects

Materials

Rosewood

Don Shoemaker Cocobolo Rosewood Box for Señal
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A small Cocobolo rosewood box with geometric pattern by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal, c.1960s, Mexico. Shoemaker is known for the marquetry in his work, which is clearly visib...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Senal Decorative Objects

Materials

Rosewood

Don Shoemaker Rosewood Lidded Box for Senal
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rectangular Rosewood box with geometric pattern by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal, c.1960s, Mexico. Shoemaker is known for the marquetry in his work, which is clearly visible ...
Category

1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Senal Decorative Objects

Materials

Rosewood

Don Shoemaker Rosewood Lidded Box for Senal
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A petite square Rosewood box with geometric pattern by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal, c.1960s, Mexico. Shoemaker is known for the marquetry in his work, which is clearly visibl...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Senal Decorative Objects

Materials

Rosewood

Senal decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Senal decorative objects 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 decorative objects, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original decorative objects by Senal were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider decorative objects by Salvador Teran, Victor Salmones, and Pal Kepenyes. Prices for Senal decorative objects can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $225 and can go as high as $1,750, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $594.

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