Mexican Modern Don Shoemaker Inlaid Wall Mount Bar Tray
About the Item
- Creator:Don S. Shoemaker (Artist)
- Dimensions:Height: 1.25 in (3.18 cm)Width: 21.75 in (55.25 cm)Depth: 7 in (17.78 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU936635077012
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: San Diego, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Mexican Modern Don Shoemaker Wood TraysBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in San Diego, CASet of four serving trays or plates by Mexican Modernist Don Shoemaker, from his workshop in Señal Mexico. Designer Don Shoemaker ( was born in Nebraska and studied at the Art Inst...Category
Vintage 1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Tableware
MaterialsWood
- Don Shoemaker Mexican Modern BookendsBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in San Diego, CAHand carved bookends in Cocobolo by Mexican Modernist Don Shoemaker. Retains original labels from his workshop in Señal Mexico. This design was included in the 2017 Don S. Shoemaker ...Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Bookends
MaterialsCocobolo
- Don Shoemaker Mexican Modern Cutting Board or Server TrayBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in San Diego, CAUnused mixed wood cutting board or serving tray by Mexican Modernist Don Shoemaker. Retains original labels from his workshop in Señal Mexico.Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern More Dining and Entertaining
MaterialsWood
- Don Shoemaker Mexican Modern Rare Bowl Hand-CarvedBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in San Diego, CABeautiful and very rare attributed to Mexican Modernist Don Shoemaker. No labels but according to the owner this piece was purchased with a lot of items by Don Shoemaker hand carved ...Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsWood, Walnut
- Pair of MCM Cocobolo Wood Minimalist Salt & Pepper Shakers by Don ShoemakerBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in San Diego, CAA goegeous pair of MCM cocobolo wood minimalist interlocking salt & pepper hakers by Don Shoemaker, circa 1970s. The pair were made in Mexico and are in very good vintage condition m...Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Barware
MaterialsCocobolo
- Don Shoemaker Mexican Modern Cutting Board and Salt and Pepper ShakersBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in San Diego, CACutting board or serving tray and mixed exotic woods salt and pepper shakers by Mexican Modernist Don Shoemaker. Retains original label from his w...Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Tableware
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
- 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
- Don Shoemaker Serving TrayBy Senal, Don S. ShoemakerLocated in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo LeonBorn in Nebraska, Don S. Shoemaker studied painting at The Fine Arts Institution of Chicago. In the late 1940s, he moved to Mexico with his family and settled in Santa Maria de Guido...Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
MaterialsWood
- 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 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
- Don Shoemaker Exotic Wood TrayBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Kalamazoo, MIEye-catching 1960s geometric design of tropical hardwoods designed by Don S. Shoemaker and made in Mexico by his company Senal, S.A. Practical and beautiful, this mid-century modern ...Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
MaterialsHardwood
