Eight Don Shoemaker Cocobolo and Leather Dining Chairs
View Similar Items
Eight Don Shoemaker Cocobolo and Leather Dining Chairs
About the Item
- Creator:Don S. Shoemaker (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 33.5 in (85.09 cm)Width: 19 in (48.26 cm)Depth: 19 in (48.26 cm)Seat Height: 17.25 in (43.82 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 8
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Early 1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Phoenix, AZ
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU853217142652
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.
- Mastercraft 1970s Burl Wood Dining Chairs, set of 4By MastercraftLocated in Phoenix, AZ4 Burl wood dining chairs by Mastercraft, circa mid 1970s. These all-original examples have stunning grain and cut velvet upholstery. Chairs are priced at $4,000 for set of 4.Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsBurl
- Teak Ladder-Back Dining Chairs by Møller, set of 4By Niels Otto MøllerLocated in Phoenix, AZSet of four dining chairs by Niels Otto Moller for J.L. Moller, Denmark circa mid 1960's. Model 78. A stylish set of teak chairs with leather s...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Teak
- Cocobolo Studio Crafted Mirror, 1960sLocated in Phoenix, AZStudio cocobolo mirror, circa early 1960s. This sculptural example is adjustable and hand-formed. It is solid cocobolo with stunning graining.Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Table Mirrors
MaterialsCocobolo
- Allen Ditson & Lee Porzio Walnut & Ceramic Dining TableBy Allen DitsonLocated in Phoenix, AZSculptural Allen Ditson and Lee Porzio dining table in solid walnut with oval inset of Porzio's signature ceramic tile work. This one off example was done in 1971 and has been impecc...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsCeramic, Walnut
- Brazilian Rosewood Sling Chair & Ottoman, 1960sLocated in Phoenix, AZSculpted solid rosewood sling chair and ottoman from Brazil circa early 1960s. This example has a beautifully grained stacked rosewood frame and h...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsRosewood
$6,800 / set - Robert Whitton Turquoise Architectural One-Off ChairBy Robert WhittonLocated in Phoenix, AZRobert Whitton one off aluminium chair, circa late 1980s. This architectural example has been newly powder coated in a bright turquoise.Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Pair of Don Shoemaker Dining ChairsBy Don S. Shoemaker, SenalLocated in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo LeonPair of Don Shoemaker dining chairs (F84C), original leather on the seat and back, reversible seat and original buttons too. Born in Nebraska, Don S. Shoemaker studied painting at T...Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsGranadillo, Leather
$3,900 / set - Sculptural Cocobolo Rosewood Leather Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Don ShoemakerBy Senal, Don S. ShoemakerLocated 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 Folding Lounge Chairs, Mexico c.1960By Don S. Shoemaker, SenalLocated in San Francisco, CAABOUT Price is per chair. Four available. Original folding lounge chairs designed by Don Shoemaker for Senal SA. The chairs are made out of Cocobolo Rosewood and upholstered in the original black leather with decorative leather pins on the top and sides. The seats can adjust to four different positions and it can be folded flat to store away. Armrests fold up. Two chairs retain the original labels. CREATOR Don Shoemaker for Senal S.A., Mexico. DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1960. MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Leather, Cocobolo Rosewood. CONDITION Good. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor wear on the leather seats. One chair is missing two leather pins on the side and one chair is missing one on the side. Some fading of finish on all. DIMENSIONS H 36.5 in. W 23.5 in. D 23 in. HISTORY The chair was produced by Don Shoemaker furniture factory in Santa Maria Guido, Morelia Michoacan in the 1960's, the plant closed in the early 2000's after George Shoemaker...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsRosewood, Teak
$3,996 Sale Price / item20% Off - Don Shoemaker for Senal S.A. Cocobolo Rosewood Leather Sofa, Mid CenturyBy Don S. Shoemaker, SenalLocated in Vienna, ATRare rosewood and leather sofa, very comfortable and in great condition, Don Shoemaker (Rosewood up to 10kg can be shipped worldwide, no paperwork is necessary for this shipment) A s...Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Rosewood
- Don Shoemaker for Senal S.A. Cocobolo Rosewood 'Swinger' Rocking Chair, SignedBy Don S. Shoemaker, SenalLocated 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
$2,900 Sale Price34% 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
