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.
$360Sale Price|20% Off
Set of 2 Candlesticks by Don Shoemaker
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
Mid-Century Modern Cocobolo Candle Holders by Don S. Shoemaker, Mexico
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Don Shoemaker for Señal cocobolo candle holders. The hand carved minimalist candle holders feature an organic, fluid form with a brass center for a candlestick. Dimensions ...
Brass
$2,155
H 12.41 in W 4.34 in D 5.12 in
Elegant Mid-Century Modern Candle Holder Flamma by Lino Sabattini Italy 1970s
By Sabattini Argenteria, Lino Sabattini
Located in Munich, DE
Extremely rare, elegant and highly decorative Mid-Century Modern candle holder / candelabra 'Flamma'. Designed by Lino Sabattini for Sabattini Argenteria, Italy, 1970s. Signed to the...
Metal
1960s Mid-Century Modern Italian Murano Glass Candle Holders
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Beautiful set of two thick Murano glass candle holders in black purple reflections colors. Both still in perfect condition.
Murano Glass
$774
H 9.45 in W 10.63 in D 10.63 in
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Folding Candle Holder in Rosewood
By Lauritz Jensen
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian folding candle holder in rosewood by Laurits Jensen. Perfect original condition. Still in its original box.
Rosewood
$897
H 10.04 in Dm 8.27 in
Mid-Century Modern Handmade Massive Brass Candle Holder by Michael Harjes 1960s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
It was designed by Michael Harjes (1926-2006) and manufactured by Harjes Metalkunst (1912), the family business in Germany. The candlestick is in excellent condition and has a deep g...
Brass
$1,825Sale Price|37% Off
H 12.5 in W 17 in D 3.25 in
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...
Jacaranda, Rosewood, Cocobolo
Mid-Century Modern Brass Candle Holder Carl Aubock Era
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a vintage brass candle holder, most likely designed in the Mid-Century Modern style. Based on its distinctive sculptural form, it shares significant design ch...
Brass
Vintage Brass Candlesticks, 1960s, Set of 5
Located in KUTNO, PL
The set of vintage brass candlesticks is an elegant proposal that catches the eye with its timeless aesthetics and nobility of the material. The brass from which they are made gives ...
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
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
Wood Box by Don Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Designed by Don Shoemaker and handcrafted by SEÑAL, S.A. Mexico, circa 1960s. Using exotic local wood in Mexico such as Granadillo, excellent vintage condition. The box has beautifu...
Wood
$345
H 6.75 in W 5.5 in D 5.5 in
Vintage Mid Century Modern Candle Holders by Jens H. Quistgaar for Dansk Design.
Located in Seattle, WA
Eight Arm Candle Holder. Brutalist Design. Possibly Cast Iron . Vintage Condition Consistent with Age as Pictured. Dimensions. 5 1/2 W ; 5 1/2 D ; 6 3/4 D
Steel
$240Sale Price / set|52% Off
H 7.25 in Dm 3.39 in
Set of 3 Iittala Finnish Candlesticks Designed by Timo Sarpaneva
By Iittala, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Chicago, IL
Set of 3 staggered in size Iittala candlesticks. Textured clear molded glass composed as a column with projecting bands, a flared mouth and a round base. Designed by Timo Sarpaneva f...
Glass
Pair of Don Shoemaker Block Candle Holders
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
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...
Rosewood, Cocobolo
Set of Three Don Shoemaker Cocobolo Block Candle Holders
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
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 ...
Cocobolo