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.
60s Don Shoemaker Tray Exotic Mexican Hardwood Diamond Geometric Motif Craftsman
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Don Shoemaker designed tray for Senal S.A. Nice uncommon diamond inlays.
Hardwood
Expertly Restored - Don S. Shoemaker Rosewood Oval Tray 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...
Wood, Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Geometric Marquetry Decorative Tray for Señal
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rosewood serving tray by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal in the 1960s. The surface of the tray has a repeating geometric marquetry pattern in a gradient of local Mexican hardwo...
Rosewood
Don Shoemaker for Señal Geometric Marquetry Tray with Stand
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Serving tray and stand by Don Shoemaker for Senal of Mexico. The tray has a dark rosewood frame with integrated handles at either end, and the tray surface has a repeating geometric ...
Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Rectangular Cocobolo Tray for Señal
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Narrow tray by Don Shoemaker for Señal, Mexico, c.1960s. The tray has a Cocobolo frame with integrated handles and features an inlaid striped pattern of rosewood. Retains original ma...
Hardwood, Rosewood, Cocobolo
Mid-Century Modern Don Shoemaker Service Tray Tapered Exotic Wood
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a service tray By Designer Don Shoemaker produced by Senal in Mexico 1970s. Marvelous mid-century service tray medley of exotic woods. Cut out handle for easy...
Rosewood, Cocobolo
$200Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Brass
Don Shoemaker Small Geometric Marquetry Decorative Tray for Señal
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rosewood serving tray by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal in the 1960s. The surface of the tray has a repeating geometric marquetry pattern in a gradient of local Mexican hardwood...
Hardwood, Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Small Chevron Marquetry Decorative Tray for Señal
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rosewood serving tray by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal in the 1960s. The surface of the tray has a repeating chevron marquetry pattern in a gradient of local Mexican hardwoods....
Hardwood, Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Decorative Tray for Señal
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Serving tray by Don Shoemaker for Senal of Mexico. The tray has a dark rosewood frame with integrated handles at either end, and the tray surface is inlaid with precious wood veneer ...
Hardwood, Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Geometric Marquetry Decorative Tray for Señal
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rosewood serving tray by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal in the 1960s. The surface of the tray has a repeating geometric marquetry pattern in a gradient of local Mexican hardwo...
Rosewood
Travertine Oval Tray
By Kiwano Concept
Located in Eindhoven, NB
Elevate your space with the timeless elegance of the Travertine Oval Tray. Crafted from exquisite travertine adorned with natural pits, this versatile tray adds a touch of sophistica...
Travertine
Calacatta Marble Oval Tray
By Kiwano Concept
Located in Eindhoven, NB
Elevate your space with the timeless elegance of the Calacatta Viola Marble Tray. Crafted from exquisite travertine adorned with natural pits, this versatile tray adds a touch of sop...
Marble
$325
H 0.92 in W 18.75 in D 3.4 in
Mid-Century Modern Korina Wood Divided Serving Tray by Arthur Umanoff
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage hand carved rectangular wood tray features Modernist shape and graphic wood grain patterns with the natural tonal range. The handle is wrapped with reed or cane. Minimal shap...
Reed, Wood
Rosso Levanto Marble Oval Tray
By Kiwano Concept
Located in Eindhoven, NB
Elevate your space with the timeless elegance of the Rosso Levanto Marble Tray. Crafted from exquisite burgundy marble adorned with striking white veining, this versatile tray adds a...
Marble
Don Shoemaker Small Geometric Marquetry Decorative Tray for Señal
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rosewood serving tray by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal in the 1960s. The surface of the tray has a repeating geometric marquetry pattern in a gradient of local Mexican hardwood...
Hardwood, Rosewood
$1,500
H 0.79 in W 14.18 in D 17.33 in
Don Shoemaker Large Serving Tray /Cutting Board Made with Different Woods
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, MX
This is a Mexican wood tray, cutting board or serving platter made in 1960s in Michoacan, Mexico by Don Shoemaker. It is in excelllent condition and...
Hardwood
Pink Marble Oval Tray
By Kiwano Concept
Located in Eindhoven, NB
Elevate your space with the timeless elegance of the Pink Marble Tray. Crafted from exquisite burgundy marble adorned with striking white veining, thi...
Stone, Marble
Japanese Teak Wood Tray Modern Minimalist
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Japanese teak serving tray, Midcentury Modern design period, circa mid-20th century, 1960s, Japan. Tray is a warm brown teak, strategically arched design around, sleek 'h...
Teak, Wood
"For Rachel" Tray
By Project 213A
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
'For Rachel' tray in cream Hand-sculpted ceramic tray with hand made rectangle shaped elements. This large sized tray is finished with a bespoke cream glaze that reveals the natural...
Ceramic
$900
H 1.34 in W 14.97 in D 9.06 in
Don S. Shoemaker Mexican MCM Parquetery Hardwood Rectangular Cheveron Tray
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, MX
A classic 1970's Mexican hardwood parquetery serving tray by American designer Don S. Shoemaker. The rectangular tray's parquetery is composed by a chevron pattern. Don S. Shoemaker...
Hardwood
Exotic Wood Breakfast Serving Tray Macassar and Ebony
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents Serving Tray Exotic Zebra Wood Macassar and Ebony Breakfast in Bed Tray 2.5 h x 24.5 w x 14 d Original unrestored vintage condi...
Ebony, Macassar
$637Sale Price|25% Off
H 1.25 in W 15 in D 9 in
Mid-Century Modern Don Shoemaker Señal Service Tray Exotic Wood
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a mid-century modern Don S Shoemaker Señal service tray exotic woods. Mexico circa the 1980s. Geometric parquetry. Stamp present. Dimensions: 1.25" D x 15" L...
Wood
Don Shoemaker Serving Tray
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...
Wood
Don Shoemaker Chevron Marquetry Decorative Tray for Señal
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rosewood serving tray by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal in the 1960s. The surface of the tray has a repeating chevron marquetry pattern in a gradient of local Mexican hardwoods....
Rosewood, Hardwood
Don Shoemaker Decorative Tray for Señal
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Serving tray by Don Shoemaker for Senal of Mexico. The tray has a dark rosewood frame with integrated handles at either end, and the tray surface is inlaid with precious wood veneer ...
Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Geometric Marquetry Decorative Tray for Señal
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rosewood serving tray by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal in the 1960s. The surface of the tray has a repeating geometric linear marquetry pattern in a gradient of local Mexican...
Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Serving Tray
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...
Wood
Don Shoemaker Serving Tray
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...
Wood
Don Shoemaker Cocobolo Tray for Señal
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cocobolo tray by Don Shoemaker for Señal, Mexico, c.1960s. The tray has a Cocobolo frame with integrated handles and features an inlaid striped pattern of rosewood. Retains original ...
Rosewood, Cocobolo
Don Shoemaker for Señal Geometric Marquetry Tray with Stand
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Serving tray and stand by Don Shoemaker for Senal of Mexico. The tray has a dark rosewood frame with integrated handles at either end, and the tray surface is inlaid with precious wo...
Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Wood Inlaid Chevron Pattern Cutting Board for Señal
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cutting board by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal in the 1960s. The surface of the board has a repeating chevron marquetry pattern in a gradient of local Mexican hardwoods that ca...
Rosewood, Cocobolo
Don Shoemaker for Señal Diamond Geometric Marquetry Tray
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Serving tray by Don Shoemaker for Senal of Mexico. The tray has a dark rosewood frame with integrated handles at either end, and the tray surfa...
Rosewood
Don Shoemaker for Señal Geometric Marquetry Decorative Tray
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rosewood serving tray by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal in the 1960s. The surface of the tray has a repeating geometric marquetry pattern in a gradient of local Mexican hardwo...
Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Serving Tray
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