Don Shoemaker Desk Top Business Card Holder
About the Item
- Creator:Don S. Shoemaker (Author)
- Dimensions:Height: 1.97 in (5 cm)Width: 6.3 in (16 cm)Depth: 4.14 in (10.5 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Mexico City, MX
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4252220570162
Don S. Shoemaker
If it weren’t for his honeymoon, American furniture designer Don S. Shoemaker 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 the cocobolo, a Mexican rosewood, and he decided to delve into furniture design. In the late 1950s, he started a small factory, producing hand-carved armchairs, dining room tables, decorative boxes and bowls, and serveware. The popularity of Shoemaker’s furnishings grew throughout Mexico, and his small factory became the Señal S.A. company, 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 Don S. Shoemaker desks, seating, decorative objects and serveware.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Mexico City, Mexico
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Abstract Box by Don ShoemakerBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Mexico City, CDMXDesigned by Don Shoemaker and handcrafted by SEÑAL, S.A. Mexico, circa 1960s. Using exotic local wood in Mexico such as Granadillo, excellent vintage condition.Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
MaterialsCocobolo
- Headboard by Don ShoemakerBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Mexico City, CDMXCirca 1970. We offer this headboard designed by Don Shoemaker. Made in cocobolo wood.Category
Vintage 1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Bedroom Sets
MaterialsWood
- Don Shoemaker Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table with Leather TopBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Mexico City, CDMXWe offer this fantastic coffee table made in pieces of solid cocobolo wood with leather top designed by Don Shoemaker for Señal S.A., circa 1960 About Don Shoemaker: Coming from an affluent family, Don was originally from Nebraska. During the 1930s he studied at the fine Arts Institute of Chicago thinking to become a painter. Visiting Mexico for his honeymoon he fell in love with the country and he finally decided to move to Mexico in the late 1940s. He lived for a while and painted in San Miguel Allende, Guanajuato, but finally he settled down in a little uphill town called Santa María de Guido, overseeing the city of Morelia, in the state of Michoacan, Mexico. Don began the manufacture of his furniture in tropical precious woods and other wood products. What started as a little factory in the late 1950s called SEÑAL, S.A., grew to the point where Don employed more than a hundred skilled craftsmen. Soon Shoemaker became an important milestone of the economic and cultural life of his adopted home. SEÑAL, S.A. brought great wealth and economical boost to the village and Don was well known for his good heart and charity projects. Don S. Shoemaker delivered furniture pieces in to his showrooms in Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston and large cities in Mexico. His designs were very much appreciated by wealthy Mexican families...Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsCocobolo
- Mexican Modern Bookends by Don ShoemakerBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Mexico City, CDMXCirca 1970. We offer this Hand carved bookends made in Cocobolo by Mexican Modernist Don Shoemaker. Include original labels from his workshop in Señal Mexico.Category
Vintage 1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Bookends
MaterialsWood
- Mexican Folding Stool by Don ShoemakerBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Mexico City, CDMXAmazing, rare and interesting folding stool, it can be used as magazine rack, circa 1960 and designed by Don Shoemaker, includes original handmade label.Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsPine
- Mexican Jewelry Box in the Style of Don ShoemakerBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Mexico City, CDMXCirca 1970 We offer this rare Mexican jewelry box in the style of Don Shoemaker.Category
Vintage 1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Sculptures and Carvings
MaterialsWood
- Don Shoemaker Petite Hinged Lid Box for SeñalBy Don S. Shoemaker, SenalLocated in Los Angeles, CARectangular Cocobolo box by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal, c.1960s, Mexico. Shoemaker is known for his use of exotic Mexican hardwoods and this hinged lid box is a beautiful ex...Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes
MaterialsCocobolo
- Don S. Shoemaker Mexican Modern Inlaid Mixed Woods Parquetry Hinged BoxBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Palm Springs, CAInlaid mixed woods parquetry box created by Don Shoemaker, circa 1960s. Box measures 2.25" by 6.5" by 5.5" and is in very good vintage condition showing some wear. Signed with the Do...Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes
MaterialsWood
- Don Shoemaker Cocobolo Pencil Holder for Señal, Mexico, 1980sBy Don S. Shoemaker, SenalLocated in Costa Mesa, CADon Shoemaker Cocobolo Pencil Holder for Señal, Mexico, 1980s. Makers label to the bottom.Category
20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
MaterialsWood, Cocobolo
- Don Shoemaker Cylindrical VesselBy Don S. Shoemaker, SenalLocated in Los Angeles, CAA Rosewood cylindrical vessel with geometric pattern by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal in the 1960s. Shoemaker is known for the marquetry in his w...Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes
MaterialsRosewood
- Walnut Business Card Holder, 1960sBy Jens Risom, Florence KnollLocated in Costa Mesa, CAWalnut Business Card Holder, 1960s.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
MaterialsWalnut
- Silver Business Card HolderLocated in Savannah, GASilver Business Card Holder. More of a decorative piece now as it is smaller than a regular business cardCategory
Early 20th Century Decorative Boxes
MaterialsSilver
