Midcentury Mexican Modern Don Shoemaker Rosewood Swinger Chair with Ottoman
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Midcentury Mexican Modern Don Shoemaker Rosewood Swinger Chair with Ottoman
About the Item
- Creator:Don S. Shoemaker (Designer),Senal (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 32.5 in (82.55 cm)Width: 31 in (78.74 cm)Depth: 29.5 in (74.93 cm)Seat Height: 17 in (43.18 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Excellent vintage condition with wear consistent with age and use. Original leather is in excellent condition with minor naturally-aged wear especially on the ottoman.
- Seller Location:Detroit, MI
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4577213990392
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.
- 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
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- Don Shoemaker Sling "Swinger" Chair and Ottoman, Mexico 1960sBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Camden, MEA Classic 20th century chair and ottoman from one of the great craftsman's workshops of Mexico: Senal, S.A., Don Shoemaker's tropical paradise in Michoacan, Mexico. This iconic chai...Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
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- Vintage Don Shoemaker Rosewood Swinger Chair Signed Senal, MexicoBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Chicago, ILA great vintage example. Not a reproduction. Beautiful grain. Signed on cross stretcher. Are pictures available upon request.Category
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- Mid-Century Mexican Modern Don Shoemaker Senal SA Sling Swinger Chairs Set of 4By Senal, Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Forney, TXA magnificent set of four rare original Mid-Century Modern Mexican bocote wood and black leather "Swingers" by legendary designer Don S. Shoemaker (1919-1990) This iconic Modernist ...Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
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- Mexican Modern, Don S Shoemaker, Sling Swinger chair with footstool, 1960'sBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Uccle, BEIconic Don S. Shoemaker Sling Swinger chair with footrest. Made from cocobolo (Mexican rosewood) and black leather in the 1960s. The biomorphic lines of the exotic rosewood create an...Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
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- Don Shoemaker Sling "Swinger" Chair and Ottoman for Señal, S.A, 1960By Don S. Shoemaker, SenalLocated in Los Angeles, CAOne set of Swinger chair and ottoman from Don Shoemaker for the iconic Señal, S.A workshop of Mexico. This chair has been refinished and are in excellent condition. The chairs retain...Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Rosewood, Cocobolo
