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 Sculpted Rosewood & Leather Coffee Table 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...
Leather, Rosewood, Cocobolo
$20,212Sale Price|25% Off
Cocobolo Dining Table by Don S. Shoemaker, 1960s Modern Design
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Chattanooga, TN
An architectural marvel in living form, this Cocobolo rosewood dining table by Don S. Shoemaker for Señal, Mexico, commands attention as both functional object and sculptural stateme...
Cocobolo
$1,831Sale Price|22% Off
H 29.14 in Dm 47.25 in
Dining Table Made In Rosewood By Vejle Furniture From 1960s
By Vejle Stole & Møbelfabrik
Located in Lejre, DK
This dining table epitomizes the elegance and craftsmanship synonymous with Danish design from the 1960s. Crafted from luxurious rosewood, renowned for its rich hues and distinctive...
Rosewood
Artedi Post Modern Marble Glass Dining Table
By Artedi
Located in Sheffield, MA
Made in Italy, this 20th century glass, marble and brass accented dining table by noted Italian furniture maker, Artedi, makes a statement in ...
Marble, Brass
$2,320Sale Price|20% Off
H 16 in W 60 in D 48 in
Thomas Pheasant for Baker Furniture Crackle Finish Coffee Table
By Thomas Pheasant
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is coffee table is a Thomas Pheasant design for Baker Furniture. It has a crackled glaze finish. The design is fashioned in Greek Key and has dual drawers, one on each side. The...
Wood, Lacquer
Sculpted Steel Patinated Coffee Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Large sculpted steel metal and glass coffee table constructed of six saber form legs joined by 2" thick flat bar box stretchers. The table is topped with recta...
Metal
$1,995
H 18 in W 32 in D 32 in
Imperial Furniture Mid-Century Modern Sculpted Walnut Two-Tier Coffee Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern sculpted walnut coffee or cocktail table By Imperial Furniture of Grand Rapids USA, Circa 1960s Measures: 32"W x 32"D x 18"H. Very good ori...
Walnut
Vintage Walnut Coffee Table by Adrian Pearsall for Lane Furniture
By Adrian Pearsall, Lane Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This vintage coffee table features an elegant design combining walnut frames and glass tops. Artfully sculpted bases and a minimal square top make this sought-after design by Adrian ...
Glass, Walnut
$4,850Sale Price|25% Off
H 29.25 in W 62.25 in D 39 in
Exotic Mixed Woods Dining Table by Milo Baughman for Directional, 1960s
By Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This beautifully refinished exotic wood inlay 1960's California Modern dining table by Milo Baughman for Directional features highly grained exotic woods creating contrasting lines s...
Wood
$2,604Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.75 in W 59.06 in D 41.15 in
Dining Table Made In Rosewood By Arne Vodder From 1960s
By Arne Vodder
Located in Lejre, DK
This oval dining table, designed by the acclaimed Arne Vodder, epitomizes the elegance and sophistication of mid-century Danish design. Crafted from rosewood and dating back to aroun...
Rosewood
$6,240Sale Price|20% Off
H 21.75 in W 63.5 in D 31.25 in
Finn Juhl Coffee Table for Baker Furniture Denmark / USA, 1951
By Finn Juhl, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Chicago, IL
Finn Juhl Coffee Table for Baker Furniture Denmark / USA, 1951 Distinctive stretched semi-circle form with a ½-inch lip around most edges, showcasing Juhl's signature blend of organi...
Sycamore, Walnut
$11,076 / item
H 29.53 in W 47.25 in D 122.05 in
Modern by Giuseppe Carpanelli Desyo Dining Table Walnut Wood with Leather
By Carpanelli
Located in Desio, IT
Fixed oval top. The base can be covered in eco-leather, eco-nabuk, real leather or real nabuk. The top is enriched by sunburst inlays in essence of Canaletto Walnut wood. This piece ...
Leather, Walnut
Iconoclast Modern Hardwood Dining Table by Izm
Located in Edmonton, Alberta
The Iconoclast dining table is made of 100% solid, hardwood and features a unique pedestal base. This piece commands attention and is the perfect center piece for any open plan dinin...
Hardwood
$18,995 / item
H 30 in W 132 in D 48 in
FLOAT DINING TABLE - Modern Bleached White Oak Dining Table w/ Silver Leaf Bases
By Susan Hornbeak-Ortiz
Located in Laguna Niguel, CA
FLOAT DINING TABLE - Modern Bleached White Oak Dining Table w/ Silver Leaf Bases The Float Dining Table is a stunning and modern piece of furniture...
Silver Leaf
Don Shoemaker Dining Table for Señal
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
From designer Don Shoemaker for his company Señal, c.1960s, Mexico, this Rosewood table makes an intriguing statement from any angle. The tabletop is supported by two sculpted foldin...
Rosewood
Sold
H 15.74 in W 21.5 in D 45.6 in
Don Shoemaker Senal S.A. Cocobolo Rosewood Parquetry Table, Mid Century
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare parquetry rosewood table in wonderful condition, Don Shoemaker 1960 We also have a rare sofa available from Don Shoemaker. A sculptural masterpiece by Don Shoemaker. We have this table in our collection at the moment together with a matching sofa...
Rosewood
Sold
H 30.25 in W 39.25 in D 39.25 in
1960s Don Shoemaker Sling Collection Round Dining Table Exotic Cocobolo Mexico
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Round Dining TABLE exquisite exotic cocobolo wood marquetry designed by Don S Shoemaker Mexico 1960s Shoemaker's Sling collection Mesa Redonda F12 prod...
Rosewood, Cocobolo
Sold
H 30 in W 74 in D 38 in
Rare Exotic Cocobolo Rosewood Dining Table by Don Shoemaker for Senal, Signed
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This extremely rare and highly coveted sculptural dining table in exotic Cocobolo Rosewood was designed by leading 1960s modernist designer Don Shoemaker and is signed with a partial Senal S.A. label on the underside. We fully restored this gorgeous piece in a French Polish which is the most expensive and labor intensive finish available due to the numerous hand applied layers, but it is worth every penny as it provides a smooth and hard surface which accentuates the exotic wood grain while providing a protective surface for every day use. Crafted of exotic woods, the top features a stunning patchwork array of Cocobolo Rosewood parquetry inlay which connects to solid Zebrawood articulating legs that connect via wooden pegs. With the pegs removed, the biomorphic sculpted legs can fold and pack near-flat making transport of this table easy and works great for transformable spaces - if you are having a party and need to make space for a dance floor- simply stow away this table and now you have space to get the party started. This extremely rare and highly sought after work of art is ideal for avid collectors and investors of modern art and interior designers who have a client looking for the best of the best. This table is the pièce de résistance for Don Shoemaker collectors and this particular example is exquisite as it is signed with a partial original label and is in stunning condition. Mexican Modern is a style that fits incredibly well with Mid-Century Modern, Scandanavian Modern, Danish Modern, Brazilian Modern, Art Deco, Classical 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. Also consider this Don Shoemaker for Senal SA...
Rosewood
Sold
H 16.75 in W 24.25 in D 20.25 in
1950s Don Shoemaker Señal Side Table Exotic Cocobolo Marquetry Michoacan Mexico
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Exotic Cocobolo Table Side Table crafted by Señal: Designer DON SHOEMAKER made in Cocobolo Wood Marquetry. Handcrafted in Michoacan Mexico 1950s Don Shoemaker furnishings are highly ...
Cocobolo
Cocobolo Rosewood Tray Table by Don Shoemaker for Señal, c. 1970
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Exquisitely crafted rectangular shape tray table designed by Don Shoemaker for Sen~al, crafted in circa 1970s Mexico. The tray has cocobolo rosewood inlays formed in a intriguing pat...
Jacaranda, Rosewood, Cocobolo
Sling Collection Round Game Table by Don Shoemaker
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
The Sling round tables collection were manufactured in the 1960s and were produced in tropical woods and other local rosewood species as cocobolo and cueramo, the marquetry top were ...
Cocobolo
Sling Collection “Mesa Redonda” by Don Shoemaker for Señal
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An F-12 dining table from Don Shoemaker’s Sling Collection, this round table makes an intriguing statement from any angle. The tabletop is supported by a deeply recessed cluster of f...
Cocobolo
Pair of Descanso Side Tables by Don Shoemaker for Señal in Cueramo Wood
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of side tables from Don Shoemaker’s “Descanso” line produced in highly figured cueramo wood. The blocky construction and broad planes of the frame showcase the almost marbled ...
Leather, Hardwood
Don Shoemaker Granadillo Wood and Leather Coffee Table
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Don Shoemaker granadillo wood and leather coffee table Born in Nebraska, Don S. Shoemaker studied painting at The Fine Arts Institution of Chicago. In the late 1940s, he moved to M...
Leather, Granadillo
Don Shoemaker Rosewood Table
By Senal
Located in San Francisco, CA
Don Shoemaker designed rosewood dining or games table. Made completely from solid rosewood in a sculptural organic manor. Lightly refinished and in excellent vintage condition. P...