Senal Rocking Chairs

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 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.

Creator: Senal

Don Shoemaker for Senal S.A. Cocobolo Rosewood 'Swinger' Rocking Chair, Signed

$2,850Sale Price|35% Off

Don Shoemaker for Senal S.A. Cocobolo Rosewood 'Swinger' Rocking Chair, Signed

By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Named the 'Swinger Chair' for its pivoting mechanism that allows you to swing in your seat, this incredible cocobolo rosewood and black leather 'Swinger' rocking armchair by leading 1960s modernist designer Don Shoemaker for Senal S.A. (Mexico) is highly sought after by interior designers and avid collectors alike. The thick black leather hides used for the sling are complemented with leather buttons connecting the sling to the frame of the chair. Matching black leather removable seat cushion has beautiful patina as can be seen in the photos. Artistically sculpted exotic cocobolo rosewood put together in an eye catching and interesting biomorphic form with shoemaker's signature rosewood insert accents for the feet and upper back of the chair. Exceptional craftsmanship utilizing innovative links and joints. Metal brackets connecting the seat to the frame allow the chair to gently rock - consider this as a nursing chair for the design-centric home. Senal S.A. label on lower bar of chair. Mexican modern is a style that fits incredibly well with Mid-Century Modern, Scandanavian or Danish Modern, Brazilian Modern, and Hollywood Regency. It is also a great addition for interior designers to turn an otherwise simple contemporary space and add a splash of wild and interesting. Whether you are designing a Mid-Century Modern home, contemporary, post-modern or french neoclassical apartment, this Don Shoemaker Swinger...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Senal Rocking Chairs

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Rosewood and Leather 'Swinger' Chairs by Don Shoemaker for Senal, 1960s, Signed

$7,520Sale Price / set|20% Off

Rosewood and Leather 'Swinger' Chairs by Don Shoemaker for Senal, 1960s, Signed

By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Named the 'Swinger Chair' for its pivoting mechanism that allows you to swing in your seat, this incredible pair of rosewood and black leather 'Swinger' rocking armchairs by leading 1960s modernist designer Don Shoemaker for Senal S.A. (Mexico) are highly sought after by interior designers and avid collectors alike. The thick black leather hides used for the sling are complemented with leather buttons connecting the sling to the frame of the chairs. Matching black leather removable seat cushions have beautiful patina as can be seen in the photos. Artistically sculpted exotic rosewood put together in an eye catching and interesting biomorphic form with shoemaker's signature rosewood insert accents for the feet and upper back of the chairs. Exceptional craftsmanship utilizing innovative links and joints. Metal brackets connecting the seats to the frame allow the chairs to gently rock - consider this as a nursing chair for the design-centric home. Signed with a Senal S.A. label on lower bar of one chair. Mexican modern is a style that fits incredibly well with Mid-Century Modern, Scandanavian or Danish Modern, Brazilian Modern, and Hollywood Regency. It is also a great addition for interior designers to turn an otherwise simple contemporary space and add a splash of wild and interesting. Whether you are designing a Mid-Century Modern home, contemporary, post-modern or french neoclassical apartment, these Don Shoemaker Swinger...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Senal Rocking Chairs

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Don Shoemaker Rosewood and Leather 'Swinger' Chair and Ottoman, 1960s, Signed

$7,900 / set

Don Shoemaker Rosewood and Leather 'Swinger' Chair and Ottoman, 1960s, Signed

By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Named the 'Swinger Chair' for its pivoting mechanism that allows you to swing in your seat, this incredible rosewood and black leather 'Swinger' rocking armchair and ottoman by leadi...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Senal Rocking Chairs

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Pair of Don Shoemaker Rosewood and Leather 'Swinger' Chairs, 1960s, Signed

$7,360Sale Price / set|20% Off

Pair of Don Shoemaker Rosewood and Leather 'Swinger' Chairs, 1960s, Signed

By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Senal Rocking Chairs

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Don Shoemaker Sling Chair

$2,750

H 27.75 in W 22.5 in D 19 in

Don Shoemaker Sling Chair

By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal

Located in Denton, TX

The iconic beautiful mexican modern Don Shoemaker "sling" chair. Made for Señal S.A. Made from solid Cocobolo Wood with original black leather. Made in the 1960s

Category

20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Senal Rocking Chairs

Materials

Leather, Cocobolo

Haruki Miyagima for Bonacina Italian Midcentuty Rattan Rocking Chair, 1960s

$4,121

H 45.28 in W 33.86 in D 55.12 in

Haruki Miyagima for Bonacina Italian Midcentuty Rattan Rocking Chair, 1960s

By Pierantonio Bonacina, Haruki Miyagima

Located in Reggio Emilia, IT

Italian Mid-Century Modern design rocking chair model ‘BP 12’ designed by Haruki Miyagima and manufactured by Pierantonio Bonacina with frame in rattan, rush, and fabric upholstered ...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Senal Rocking Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Rattan, Rush

Don S. Shoemaker Sling Folding Armchair, 1960s Mexico

$2,500

H 36.23 in W 24.41 in D 24.81 in

Don S. Shoemaker Sling Folding Armchair, 1960s Mexico

By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal

Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon

Original design by Don S. Shoemaker, made in Santa María de Guido, Michoacán, Méx. This armchair is being offered without the leather, but it was professionally restored to bring out...

Category

1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Senal Rocking Chairs

Materials

Wood

Mexican Modern, Don S Shoemaker, Sling Swinger chair with footstool, 1960's

$5,145

H 32.68 in W 30.71 in D 28.75 in

Mexican Modern, Don S Shoemaker, Sling Swinger chair with footstool, 1960's

By Don S. Shoemaker

Located in Uccle, BE

Iconic Don S. Shoemaker Sling Swinger chair with footrest. Made from cocobolo (Mexican rosewood) and black leather in the 1960s. The biomorphic lines of the exotic rosewood create an...

Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Senal Rocking Chairs

Materials

Leather, Cocobolo

Don Shoemaker Perno Safari Chair

$4,000

H 28.5 in W 22.5 in D 21 in

Don Shoemaker Perno Safari Chair

By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Leather safari lounge chair by Don Shoemaker for Señal, c.1960s, Mexico. The chair features a rosewood cocobolo frame and original patinated black leather hide. Leather showcases a s...

Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Senal Rocking Chairs

Materials

Leather, Rosewood, Cocobolo

Vintage Rocking Chair, Czechoslovakia, 1970's

$918

H 32.68 in W 21.66 in D 39.38 in

Vintage Rocking Chair, Czechoslovakia, 1970's

Located in Praha, CZ

Comfortable, rarely seen, vintage rocking chair after complete renovation. The new upholstery is made of goatskin.

Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Senal Rocking Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Mid Century Rosewood & Black Leather Folding Lounge Chair by Don Shoemaker

$3,600

H 32 in W 24 in D 27 in

Mid Century Rosewood & Black Leather Folding Lounge Chair by Don Shoemaker

By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker

Located in Detroit, MI

This vintage mid century modern armchair was designed in the 1950s by Don Shoemaker and produced by Señal, S.A., Mexico circa 1960. A leading mid century Mexican modernist, Shoemaker...

Category

1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Senal Rocking Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood, Rosewood

Don Shoemaker Sling "Swinger" Chair and Ottoman, Mexico 1960s

$4,160Sale Price / set|37% Off

H 32.5 in W 31 in D 28.5 in

Don Shoemaker Sling "Swinger" Chair and Ottoman, Mexico 1960s

By Don S. Shoemaker

Located in Camden, ME

A Classic 20th century chair and ottoman from one of the great craftsman's workshops of Mexico: Senal, S.A., Don Shoemaker's tropical paradise in Michoacan, Mexico. This iconic chai...

Category

1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Senal Rocking Chairs

Materials

Leather, Cocobolo

Don Shoemaker Sling Swinger Chair

$3,200

H 33 in W 23 in D 28 in

Don Shoemaker Sling Swinger Chair

By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker

Located in Long Island City, NY

A leader of Mexico Modernism, Don Shoemaker created the “Sling” chair in the 1950s and designed variations through the 1960s, including the “Swinger” armchair you see here. Our versi...

Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Senal Rocking Chairs

Materials

Cocobolo, Granadillo, Leather

Sculptural Cocobolo Rosewood Leather Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Don Shoemaker

$3,975Sale Price|29% Off

H 33 in W 24.25 in D 27 in

Sculptural Cocobolo Rosewood Leather Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Don Shoemaker

By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal

Located in San Jose, CA

Mid-Century Modern leather sling lounge chair and ottoman designed by Don Shoemaker in cocobolo rosewood manufactured by Senal S.A., ...

Category

1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Senal Rocking Chairs

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Don Shoemaker Sloucher Rosewood & Leather Sling Chairs for Señal, S.A., 1960s

$7,550 / set

H 27 in W 23.5 in D 28 in

Don Shoemaker Sloucher Rosewood & Leather Sling Chairs for Señal, S.A., 1960s

By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker

Located in Cedar Falls, IA

For your consideration, a pair of 1960s Don Shoemaker Sloucher lounge chairs, in solid cocobolo rosewood and black leather. Iconic example of Organi...

Category

1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Senal Rocking Chairs

Materials

Leather, Rosewood, Cocobolo

Mid-Century Don Shoemaker Sloucher Sling Lounge Chair For Senal S.A.

$4,295

H 27.25 in W 23.25 in D 27 in

Mid-Century Don Shoemaker Sloucher Sling Lounge Chair For Senal S.A.

By Don S. Shoemaker

Located in Fort Collins, CO

Rare and incredibly iconic “Sloucher” sling chair by furniture Don Shoemaker for Senal S.A. This chair was originally part of a pair that were in a house fire. This piece has been c...

Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Senal Rocking Chairs

Materials

Leather, Cocobolo

Senal rocking chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Senal rocking chairs 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 rocking chairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original rocking chairs by Senal were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 1960s. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider rocking chairs by Selig, Charles Eames, and Charles and Ray Eames. Prices for Senal rocking chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,000 and can go as high as $3,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,000.