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 desks, armchairs, dining 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 - 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 ...
Jacaranda, Mahogany, Rosewood, Cocobolo
$1,825Sale Price|37% Off
Don Shoemaker Exotic Wood Inlaid Decorative Briefcase for Señal, circa 1970
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
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...
Jacaranda, Rosewood, Cocobolo
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.
Wood
1970s Don Shoemaker for Señal Carved Root Wood Box Mexico
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration a free form lidded box designer Don Shoemaker Mexico. Retains original label Señal. Mexico circa the 1970s. Cocobolo root wood. Dimensions: 6.5" H x 4" D x 10...
Cocobolo, Wood
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...
Hardwood
Anglo Indian Inlaid Work Box
Located in Tampa, FL
An anglo Indian workbox made of ebony. The tray lifts up from the box on the lid which is also inlaid in ivory and ebony and has a bone round disc that is signed New Bedford 1810. Th...
Bone, Ivory, Ebony
Abalone shell vanity box, Alpaca & wood, Mexico, circa 1970
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Superb jewelry box designed and produced in Mexico during the 1970's. This artisanal set with abalone mother-of-pearl and alpaca, is a true work of art. A beautiful item to display i...
Shell, Abalone, Alpaca, Wood
$199Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 3.75 in W 1.75 in D 0.5 in
Luxury Exotic Wood and Bronze Dugout by William Stuart for Costantini Design
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
Luxury Exotic Wood and Bronze Dugout by William Stuart for Costantini Design 3.75" H x 1.75 W x 0.5" D Costantini founder William Stuart has bough...
Bronze
British Campaign Royalty Leather Traveling Trunk, Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
British Campaign water proof leather traveling trunk with leather fitted interior compartment, brass banding mounts, Royal coat of arms brass plate, brass side handles, and retains t...
$385
H 2 in W 6.5 in D 4.5 in
Turquoise Glass Mosaic Trinket Box with Aztec Calendar Medallion, Mexico, 1950's
By Salvador Teran
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Trinket Box / Jewelry Box, Mexico, 1950's Brass Box with Turquoise Glass Mosaic and Aztec Calendar Medallion on Lid, " A treasure box for your treasures" " In very good as...
Brass
$960Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 1.25 in W 8 in D 8 in
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...
Wood, Rosewood
Unique Antique Solid Rosewood Asian Jewelry Trinket Box
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful craftsmanship and condition solid rosewood dovetail multi uses jewelry box, with detailed patinated brass hindges a beautiful elegant piece of art, nice condition and patina.
Brass
Victorian Nécessaire de Voyage
Located in New Orleans, LA
A work of extraordinary craftsmanship, this exquisite English vanity case is as much an item of luxury as it is of necessity. Known as a nécessaire de voyage...
Velvet, Glass, Wood
Don Shoemaker Candlestick for Senal, Mexico
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in San Francisco, CA
Don Shoemaker design solid rosewood carved candlestick in the shape of a women's arm and hand. Elegant design by Don Shoemaker for his company Senal, Mexico. In very good original co...
Brass
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...
Hardwood
Mexican Box, c. 1960s
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960, We offer this beautiful mid century Mexican box. Made in wood and stone.
Stone
Don Shoemaker Petite Hinged Lid Box for Señal
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
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...
Cocobolo
Don Shoemaker Spice Rack for Señal SA
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
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, ...
Hardwood
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...
Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Rosewood Lidded Box for Senal
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
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 ...
Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Rosewood Lidded Box for Senal
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
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...
Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Cylindrical Vessel
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Rosewood cylindrical vessel with geometric pattern by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal in the 1960s. Shoemaker is known for the marquetry in his w...
Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Large Marquetry Box with Scallop Trim for Senal
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large 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 in the...
Rosewood
Mixed Exotic Wood Trinket Box by Don Shoemaker
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in San Diego, CA
A gorgeous mixed exotic woods trinket box by Don Shoemaker for SeÑal of Mexico, circa 1970s. The box has a removable lid and an incredible weave design of mixed inlaid woods includin...
Jacaranda, Rosewood, Cocobolo
Vintage 1960s Don Shoemaker Cocobolo Cigarette Box
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in San Antonio, TX
Designed by Don S. Shoemaker, this beautiful cocobolo cigarette box is in overall good condition. Minor scratch on top of box and several minor scratches on the bottom of the box. (See photos). Senal SA...
Cocobolo
Don Shoemaker for Senal S.A. Cocobolo Rosewood Lidded Box, Signed
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredible Cocobolo Rosewood large lidded catchall box by leading 1960s modernist designer Don Shoemaker for Senal S.A. is sought after by interior designers and avid collectors...
Rosewood
Large Cocobolo Rosewood Lidded Box by Don Shoemaker for Senal S.A., Signed
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredible Cocobolo Rosewood large lidded catchall box by leading 1960s modernist designer Don Shoemaker for Senal S.A. is sought after by interior designers and avid collectors alike. This larger sized example is particularly perfect for the discriminating collector. Signed underneath with a Don Shoemaker Senal S.A. label. We have a matching smaller example that pairs excellent with this box, see our other listings for details. Consider using as a cigar or cigarette box, stash box, catch-all box, jewelry box, personal box, ring box, tobacco or smoking accessories box or anything else to help you organize with class and style. Artistically sculpted exotic Cocobolo Rosewood put together in an eye catching and interesting form with inlays and Shoemaker's signature detailing. Exceptional craftsmanship. This particular example has great vivid detail to the wood grain - a truly exceptional example. We also have other Don Shoemaker items in stock including 'Sloucher' lounge chairs and 'Swinger' armchairs, the super rare sculptural dining table, trays, lidded boxes and accessories, contact us for our current selection of Don Shoemaker for Senal SA...
Rosewood
Wooden Box with Geometric Pattern by Don Shoemaker for Senal
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wooden box with geometric pattern by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal in the 1960s. Shoemaker is known for the marquetry in his work, which is clearly visible in the detailed design of the piece. The surface of this box has rectangular strips of varying Mexican hardwood veneers coming together at different angles, with the grain of each running in differing directions and whose points connect in the center. Marked on underside. Please inquire for a full list of Don Shoemaker products at DEN Los Angeles...
Rosewood