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.
$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
$220Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 2 in W 4 in D 1.5 in
Mid Century Rosewood “Elephant” Salt & Pepper Shakers
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in San Diego, CA
Wear consistent with age and use. As a vintage item, light cosmetic wear might be present but with no structural damage. Wear consistent with age and use.
Rosewood
$176Sale Price|20% Off
H 3 in W 5.25 in D 3 in
Wilhelm Wagenfeld Bauhaus Salt and Pepper Shakers New in Box 1950s
By Wilhelm Wagenfeld
Located in San Diego, CA
Wilhelm Wagenfeld glass and stainless steel salt and Pepper Shakers, 1952. Produced by WMF of Germany. Selected for the MoMA Good Design Exhibition and part of their permanent colle...
Stainless Steel
$319Sale Price / set|24% Off
H 2.75 in Dm 1.5 in
Pair of Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Salt & Pepper Shaker
Located in Sheffield, MA
Faneuil by Tiffany & Co. sterling silver salt shaker and pepper mill set. Simple elegance, Salt shaker 1.5" D x 2.25" H. OFFERING FREE SHIPPING TO CONTINENTAL US. PLEASE JUST ASK FO...
Sterling Silver
$85 / set
H 2 in W 5 in D 3 in
Vintage Porcelain Elephants Salt and Pepper Shakers with Tray Collectible
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage collectible blue and white porcelain elephants salt and pepper Shakers with tray. Shakers are 2”H x 2 1/5”. Tray is 3” x 5”. Chinoiserie han...
Porcelain
$365 / set
H 2.75 in Dm 1.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Tortoise Bakelite Salt and Pepper Shaker Set by Au Bain Marie
Located in New York, NY
This elegant Mid-Century Modern salt and pepper Shaker set were realized in France circa 1960 by the esteemed maker Au Bain Marie. They feature sinuously...
Bakelite
$76Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 3.15 in W 1.97 in D 1.97 in
Vintage Midcentury Salt and Pepper Shakers by Ehrenreich of Denmark in Teak
By Hans Gustav Ehrenreich
Located in Søborg, DK
Vintage midcentury salt and pepper shakers by Ehrenreich of Denmark in teak. It was the late 1950s, and in Ehrenreich’s small workshop, there was no shortage of imagination. No two things were ever alike. Small silver fish were inlaid in hand-turned bowls...
Teak
Contemporary Stone Covered Salt and Pepper Shakers - a Pair
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Beautiful multicolor stone covered salt and pepper shakers.
Glass, Plastic
$1,250 / set
H 3 in Dm 2 in
Sterling Silver Salt Pepper Shakers Scallop Seashell Design by Caldwell, Pair
By J.E. Caldwell & Co.
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and well-made pair of Sterling Silver salt and pepper shakers with scallop seashell design by iconic American jeweler and silversmith J.E. Caldwell & Co, circa 20th centu...
Sterling Silver
Danish Modern Teak Salt and Pepper Shakers
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Handsome minimalist pair of salt and pepper shakers. Executed in teak wood with warm tones and attractive grains. In good condition with even color and no major wear.
Teak
$495
H 0.5 in W 14 in D 6 in
Expertly Restored - Don S. Shoemaker Rosewood Oval Tray for Señal Furniture
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
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 1...
Rosewood
$8,475 / set
H 3.5 in W 3.75 in D 3.25 in
Handcrafted Sterling Silver Octopus Salt Shaker and Pepper Mill by Missiaglia
By Missiaglia 1846
Located in New York, NY
Established in Venice in 1846, Missiaglia is one of the world's premier makers of the finest jewelry objects, as well as a select number of bespoke sterling silver tabletop accessori...
Sterling Silver
Don Shoemaker Style Rosewood Salt and Pepper Shakers
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Pasadena, TX
These salt and pepper shakers were designed in the style of Don Shoemaker. They're comprised of rosewood and have a simplistic Danish design.
Rosewood
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
Don Shoemaker for Senal Salt and Pepper Shakers
By Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of Don Shoemaker for Sen~al salt and pepper shakers. The hand carved Minimalist mahogany shakers feature an interlocking design that, from ...
Mahogany
Don Shoemaker for Senal Inlaid Tray with Diamond Pattern
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Always interesting and never boring, here we present to you Don Shoemaker’s rosewood detailed serving tray for his company Señal in the 1960s. Shoemaker is known for the marquetry in...
Mahogany, Rosewood, Cocobolo
Sold
H 2.5 in W 8 in D 5.5 in
Don Shoemaker for Senal S.A. Cocobolo Rosewood Lidded Catch-All Box, Signed
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredible Cocobolo Rosewood lidded catchall box by leading 1960s modernist designer Don Shoemaker for Senal S.A. (Mexico) is highly sought after by interior designers and avid collectors alike. This example is particularly perfect for the discriminating collector. Signed underneath with a Don Shoemaker Senal S.A. label. Consider using as a cigar or cigarette box, stash box, keys and wallet valet...
Rosewood, Cocobolo