1960s Mexican Modern Salt and Pepper Set by Don Shoemaker
View Similar Items
1960s Mexican Modern Salt and Pepper Set by Don Shoemaker
About the Item
- Creator:Don S. Shoemaker (Artist)
- Dimensions:Height: 5.25 in (13.34 cm)Width: 4.5 in (11.43 cm)Depth: 6.5 in (16.51 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Cocobolo,Hand-Carved
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1432215418492
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 cocobolo, a Mexican rosewood, and he decided to delve into furniture design. In the late 1950s, he 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 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 in 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.
- Early Vintage Rosewood Salt and Pepper Shaker Set by Don ShoemakerBy Senal, Don S. ShoemakerLocated in San Jose, CAMid-Century Modern abstract salt and pepper shakers designed by Don Shoemaker for Señal, S.A. Mexico. This set is handmade in rosewood with unique brass ring dispensers that makes fo...Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsBrass
- 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
$280 Sale Price20% Off - 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
$208 Sale Price20% Off - Vintage Danish Salt and Pepper Sets, 1960sLocated in Asaa, DKVintage Danish salt and pepper sets, 1960s Two sets of Danish modern rosewood and stainless steel salt and pepper sets. A large set with salt sha...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Tableware
MaterialsHardwood
- Don Shoemaker Interlocking Salt and Pepper Sets for SenalBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in McKinney, TXExquisitely crafted interlocking salt and pepper sets designed by Don Shoemaker for Sen~al of Mexico. Taking advantage of the expertise provided by Mexican artisans, Shoemaker founde...Category
Vintage 1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Tableware
MaterialsRosewood
- Don Shoemaker Interlocking Salt and Pepper Sets for SenalBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in McKinney, TXExquisitely crafted interlocking salt and pepper sets designed by Don Shoemaker for Sen~al of Mexico. Taking advantage of the expertise provided by Mexican artisans, Shoemaker founde...Category
Vintage 1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Tableware
MaterialsRosewood
