Don Shoemaker Chairs
View Similar Items
Don Shoemaker Chairs
About the Item
- Creator:Don S. Shoemaker (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 33.08 in (84 cm)Width: 29.93 in (76 cm)Depth: 29.53 in (75 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1965
- Condition:Minor fading. there are some marks and fading to the wood and leather consistent with age, and there is one upholstery stud missing - shown in images.
- Seller Location:Wargrave, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU84005553673
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.
- Mid-Century Don Shoemaker Accent ChairBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis vintage sculpted frame armchair by designer Don Shoemaker makes an interesting addition to any interior. One of the most well-known designers of the Mexican-Modernism movement, ...Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Don S. Shoemaker 1970's Mexican "Swinger" Cueramo Wood and Leather ChairBy Don S. Shoemaker, SenalLocated in Mexico City, MXA Mexican 1970's cueramo wood and black leather "Swinger" lounge chair by Don S. Shoemaker. Manufactured by Señal, S.A. workshop in Santa María de Guido, Michoacán. The piece keeps i...Category
Vintage 1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Sculptural Cocobolo Rosewood Leather Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Don ShoemakerBy Don S. Shoemaker, SenalLocated in San Jose, CAMid-Century Modern leather sling lounge chair and ottoman designed by Don Shoemaker in cocobolo rosewood manufactured by Senal S.A., Mexico. This sculptural set features flowing rose...Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsRosewood, Leather
- Don Shoemaker for Senal S.A. Cocobolo Rosewood 'Swinger' Rocking Chair, SignedBy Senal, Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Los Angeles, CANamed the 'Swinger Chair' for its pivoting mechanism that allows you to swing in your seat, this incredible cocobolo rosewood and black leather 'Swinger' rocking armchair by leading 1960s modernist designer Don Shoemaker for Senal S.A. (Mexico) is highly sought after by interior designers and avid collectors alike. The thick black leather hides used for the sling are complemented with leather buttons connecting the sling to the frame of the chair. Matching black leather removable seat cushion has beautiful patina as can be seen in the photos. Artistically sculpted exotic cocobolo rosewood put together in an eye catching and interesting biomorphic form with shoemaker's signature rosewood insert accents for the feet and upper back of the chair. Exceptional craftsmanship utilizing innovative links and joints. Metal brackets connecting the seat to the frame allow the chair to gently rock - consider this as a nursing chair for the design-centric home. Senal S.A. label on lower bar of chair. Mexican modern is a style that fits incredibly well with Mid-Century Modern, Scandanavian or Danish Modern, Brazilian Modern, 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. Whether you are designing a Mid-Century Modern home, contemporary, post-modern or french neoclassical apartment, this Don Shoemaker Swinger...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Rosewood
$3,100 Sale Price29% Off - Chair by Don ShoemakerBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Palm Springs, CACarved chair with original leather insert by Don Shoemaker. Chair measures 19.5" wide, 20.5" deep and 27" high. Seat height is 12". Chair has been professionally refinished.Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsWood, Leather
$2,200 - Pair of 1960s Folding Armchairs by Don ShoemakerBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in London, GBIn Cocobolo wood, with original black leather seat and chair back, circa 1965.Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Armchairs
MaterialsLeather
$6,373 / set
