Don Shoemaker Sloucher Rosewood & Leather Sling Chairs for Señal, S.A., 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:Don S. Shoemaker (Designer),Senal (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 27 in (68.58 cm)Width: 23.5 in (59.69 cm)Depth: 28 in (71.12 cm)Seat Height: 16.5 in (41.91 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:Refinished. Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use. Very good condition. Refinished wood. Newer leather slings. Some gaps and movement visible in wood, does not affect structure or useability.
- Seller Location:Cedar Falls, IA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU8083239265412
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Cedar Falls, IA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- 1960s Walnut Sideboard by Alexis Yermakov for Stow DavisBy Alexis Yermakov, Stow DavisLocated in Cedar Falls, IAStunning walnut color and figure present on this long sideboard designed by Alexis Yermakov for Stow Davis' "Electa" line. This credenza features a large 78x20 top surface, flanked ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsAluminum
- 1960s Vintage Teak Decorative BowlBy Jens QuistgaardLocated in Cedar Falls, IAVintage 1960s large teak decorative bowl in the style of Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. Hand turned/hand carved from solid teak, no glued sections. Lots of teak color and figure in thi...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Serving Bowls
MaterialsTeak
- 1960s Walnut and Chrome Executive DeskBy Florence KnollLocated in Cedar Falls, IA1960s walnut and chrome executive desk in the style of Florence Knoll. Nice walnut grain and color throughout, including exceptional 76x28 work surface. Features 5 drawers, complet...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsChrome
- Vintage 1960s Teak Bowls - Set of 4By Jens QuistgaardLocated in Cedar Falls, IASet of 4 teak bowls in the style of Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. 2 bowls are curved and round in shape, 2 bowls are flat and straight. Lots of lovely teak color and figure in these b...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
MaterialsTeak
- 1960s Heywood Wakefield M503 Magazine TableBy Heywood-Wakefield Co.Located in Cedar Falls, IANice mid-century Heywood Wakefield M503 magazine rack or occasional table. Solid birch top on scissor legs with space to display.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsBirch
- 1960s Vintage Hand Carved Teak Bowls - Set of 4By Jens QuistgaardLocated in Cedar Falls, IASet of smaller-format hand carved teak bowls or trays. In the style of Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. Beautiful and versatile set.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Serving Bowls
MaterialsTeak
- 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
- Don Shoemaker Sling Sloucher Chairs Señal, Sculptural and Organic, MexicoBy Senal, Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Santa Gertrudis, BalearesDon S. Shoemaker (1919-1990) was a US (NE) born Mexican designer and painter, probably the most representative designer of Mexico Modernist furniture...Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Don S. Shoemaker Sling Sloucher Lounge ChairBy Don S. Shoemaker, SenalLocated in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo LeonFor your consideration, Shoemaker's most iconic chair, The Sloucher from the Sling line, the leather is original as are the buttons that are nailed to the wood (two out of twenty wer...Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Cocobolo
- Don Shoemaker "Sling Sloucher" ChairBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Oakland, CA1960s Don Shoemaker "Sling Sloucher" chair. Shoemaker was an American expat living in Mexico who was inspired to create modern versions of traditional Mexican furniture designs. A...Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Cocobolo
- Don Shoemaker Rosewood and Leather ‘Sloucher’ Chairs, Mexico 1950sBy Don S. Shoemaker, SenalLocated in Rotterdam, NLPair of lounge chairs model 'Sloucher' by Don Shoemaker for Señal, Mexico 1960s. Outstanding organically shaped bone structure with a nice leather sling seat. Interesting shapes and ...Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Cocobolo
- 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
