1960s Bronze Candle Holder Exotic Wood Don Shoemaker Mexico
About the Item
- Creator:Don S. Shoemaker (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 12 in (30.48 cm)Diameter: 6 in (15.24 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Bronze,Cocobolo
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Unrestored Original Preowned Vintage Condition. Refer to our images please.
- Seller Location:Chula Vista, CA
- Reference Number:
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: Chula Vista, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- 1960s Bottle Shaped Wine Rack in Exotic Woods Don Shoemaker MexicoBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Chula Vista, CAWine rack 11 bottle exotic wood wine rack in the shape of a wine bottle. Attributed to Don S Shoemaker. Mexico 1960s. Unmarked Designed in rosewood brass and Cocobolo wood. Rack...Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Barware
MaterialsBrass
- 1970s Don Shoemaker Service Tray Exotic Wood Señal MexicoBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Chula Vista, CA1970s Designed by Don Shoemaker produced by Señal Mexico Midcentury Service Tray wall decor in exotic woods Cut out handle for easy carry. 21.75 long 8.25 w x 1.75 h More trays are a...Category
Late 20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
MaterialsWood
- 1970s Don Shoemaker Service Tray Exotic Wood Stripe for Señal MexicoBy Don S. Shoemaker, SenalLocated in Chula Vista, CAService tray By Designer Don Shoemaker produced by Senal in Mexico, 1970s Marvelous midcentury service tray Medley of exotic woods Cut out Handle design for easy carry Measures: ...Category
Vintage 1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
MaterialsRosewood, Cocobolo
- 1970s Custom-Made Exotic Wood Side Table Style of Don Shoemaker MexicoBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Chula Vista, CA1970s Custom-made Exotic Wood Side Table Style of Don Shoemaker Mexico Single hand-crafted side table in exotic wood 17.25 x 16.5 d x 16.25 Original preowned vintage condition Se...Category
Vintage 1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsWood
- 1970s Mexico Bar Service Tray Exotic Wood Stripe by Don Shoemaker for SeñalBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Chula Vista, CA1970s Designed by Don Shoemaker and produced by Señal Mexico Midcentury Service Tray medley of exotic woods Cut out the handle for easy carry. Tray 8.25 w x 21.75 long x 1.75 d ...Category
Late 20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
MaterialsWood
- 1970s Mexico Bar Service Tray Exotic Wood Stripe by Don Shoemaker for SeñalBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Chula Vista, CABy Don Shoemaker produced by Señal in Mexico 1970s Elegant midcentury Service Tray rich medley of exotic Woods Cut out Handle design for easy carry Measures: 12 D x 20.5 L x 1.5 H...Category
Vintage 1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Barware
MaterialsWood, Cocobolo
- Biomorphic Candle Holder in the Style of Don ShoemakerBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Los Angeles, CAHand carved burl wood candelabra. The freeform candle holder features placement for three candle sticks perfect for a dining or coffee table. Dimensions 16.75" width x 7.5" depth x ...Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Candelabras
MaterialsWood, Burl
- Set of Three Don Shoemaker Cocobolo Block Candle HoldersBy Senal, Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Los Angeles, CASet of three Don Shoemaker for Señal cocobolo candle holders. The hand carved minimalist rosewood candle holders feature a geometric block design with circular cutout design on each ...Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsCocobolo
- Mexican Mid Century 5 Candle Holder Katalox Wood BirdBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Mexico City, CDMXCirca 1960, we offer this Mexican mid century 5 candle holder made in Katalox (tropical wood). This is a great bird shaped adjustable candle holder t...Category
Antique 1860s North American Mid-Century Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsTeak
- Small Candle Holder Teak Wood, circa 1960sLocated in Wien, ATSmall candle holder teak wood, circa 1960s. Original condition.Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern More Candle Holders
MaterialsBrass
- Candle Holder Vienna Around 1960sLocated in Wien, ATCandle holder vienna around 1960s Cherrywood and glass Original condition.Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern More Candle Holders
MaterialsGlass, Wood, Cherry
- Candle Holder, Vienna, Around 1960sLocated in Wien, ATCandle holder, Vienna, around 1960s. Brass and copper combination Original condition.Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern More Candle Holders
MaterialsBrass, Copper
