Rare Mexican Modern Chair by Don Shoemaker
View Similar Items
Rare Mexican Modern Chair by Don Shoemaker
About the Item
- Creator:Don S. Shoemaker (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 23 in (58.42 cm)Depth: 25 in (63.5 cm)Seat Height: 13 in (33.02 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Original vintage condition. Age and patina to the leather with some nicks, impressions and a few loose threads. Some wear to back of canvas in upper right corner. No major rips or tears to leather. Some finish wear to frame.
- Seller Location:Round Rock, TX
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5842226602422
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.
- Pair of Jens Risom Slipper Chairs, 1950'sBy Jens RisomLocated in Round Rock, TXOffered is a wonderful pair of slipper chairs designed by Jens Risom. Featuring sleek, solid walnut frames that appear to cradle the newly upholstered seats. We would call the fabr...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Slipper Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
$8,900 / set - Early Eames DAR Fiberglass Shell Chair Herman MillerBy Charles and Ray EamesLocated in Round Rock, TXEarly 2nd generation “Eiffel” DAR shell chair by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. This example shows off its heavy fibrous shell in lovely parchment color. Still retains its ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsFiberglass
- Pair of Alvar Aalto for Artek N65 Bentwood Children's ChairsBy Alvar Aalto, ArtekLocated in Round Rock, TXOffered is a set of newer production N65 children's chairs designed by famed architect and designer Alvar Aalto and produced by Artek. Easily one of Aalto's most recognized and cel...Category
Early 2000s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsBirch
- Pair of Alvar Aalto for Artek N65 Bentwood Children's ChairsBy Alvar Aalto, ArtekLocated in Round Rock, TXOffered is a set of newer production N65 children's chairs designed by famed architect and designer Alvar Aalto and produced by Artek. Easily one of Aalto's most recognized and c...Category
Early 2000s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsBirch
- Herman Miller Fiberglass Chairs, Charles and Ray Eames, Olive Green, 1960'sBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Round Rock, TXA wonderful set of four fiberglass armchairs designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. Offered in a rare olive green color that doesn't surface often. One of the most re...Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Vintage American Studio Craft Oak and Walnut High Back ArmchairLocated in Round Rock, TXOffered is a well executed studio craft high back armchair made from solid oak and walnut. Constructed without hardware, using only dowel and lap joinery. A unique chair that is ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Armchairs
MaterialsOak, Walnut
- 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 - Modern Don Shoemaker Sling Chair for SenalBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Tulsa, OKModern Don Shoemaker Sling Chair for Senal Above average vintage condition and structurally sound. Has some expected slight finish wear and scratching. Has a couple small dings and...Category
20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Rosewood
- Don Shoemaker Sling ChairBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Carmel, NYThe iconic beautiful Don Shoemaker sling chair. Made for Señal S.A. Made from solid Cocobolo Wood with original brown leather. Made in the 19...Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Cocobolo
- Rare Chair Hand Painted by Mexican Mid-Century Modernist Don ShoemakerBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Mexico City, CDMXWe offer this rare an amazing chair hand painted designed by Don Shoemaker, circa 1960, includesCategory
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsWood, Pine
- Rare Stool by Mexican Mid-Century Modernist Don ShoemakerBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Mexico City, CDMXWe offer this rare an amazing stool designed by Don Shoemaker, circa 1960.Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsWood
- Midcentury Lounge Chair in Rosewood & Leather by Don Shoemaker, 1960sBy Don S. Shoemaker, SenalLocated in Detroit, MIThis vintage Mid-Century Modern armchair was designed in the 1950s by Don Shoemaker and produced by Señal, S.A., Mexico circa 1960. A leading midcentury Mexican modernist, Shoemaker’...Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsCocobolo, Leather, Rosewood
