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 for Senal S.A. Cocobolo Rosewood Leather Sofa, Mid Century
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare rosewood and leather sofa, very comfortable and in great condition, Don Shoemaker (Rosewood up to 10kg can be shipped worldwide, no paperwork is necessary for this shipment) A s...
Leather, Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Sling Chair
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
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
Leather, Cocobolo
Mid Century Danish Brown Leather & Rosewood Sofa
By Galvano
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Simple Mid Century Danish Sofa with an executive sort of feel. Manufactured by Soda Gavano Sofa is dark chocolate leather with a rosewood base. Sofa is well loved. Leather shows ...
Leather, Rosewood
$7,520Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 33 in W 30.5 in D 30 in
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...
Leather, Rosewood
$2,850Sale Price|35% Off
H 33 in W 30.5 in D 30 in
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...
Leather, Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Perno Safari Chair
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
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...
Leather, Rosewood, Cocobolo
Mexican Mid-Century Modernist Don Shoemaker Chair
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare an amazing chair designed by Don Shoemaker, circa 1960.
Wood, Pine
$3,600
H 32 in W 24 in D 27 in
Mid Century Rosewood & Black Leather Folding Lounge Chair by Don Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
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...
Leather, Wood, Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Folding Arm Chair, Mexico c.1960
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Two available. Price per chair. Please message. Original folding arm chairs designed by Don Shoemaker for Senal SA. Can be used as dining chair or accent chair. The chair is...
Rosewood, Teak
$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...
Leather, Cocobolo
Don Shoemaker Sling Swinger Chair
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
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...
Cocobolo, Granadillo, Leather
$6,495
H 28.75 in W 87 in D 29.5 in
Knut Saeter for Vatne Møbler Mid Century Norwegian Rosewood and Leather Sofa
By Vatne Møbler, Knut Sæter
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Knut Saeter for Vatne Møbler Mid Century Norwegian Rosewood and Leather Sofa This sofa measures: 87 wide x 29.5 deep x 28.75 inches high, with a seat height of 16 and arm height of ...
Leather, Rosewood
$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., ...
Leather, Rosewood
Descanso Sofa by Don Shoemaker for Señal in Cueramo and Leather
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A deep sofa from Don Shoemaker’s “Descanso” line produced in highly figured cueramo wood and black leather. The blocky construction and broad planes of the frame showcase the almost ...