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Mid-Century Mexican Modern Don Shoemaker Senal SA Sling Swinger Chairs Set of 4

About the Item

A 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 armchair was designed by Shoemaker in the late 1950s and manufactured by his workshop Señal, S.A. in Santa María de Guido, Michoacán, Mexico, circa 1970, featuring a most distinctive masculine sculptural form, hand-crafted of warm rich exotic bocote with visually striking grain patterns, outstanding color and warmth (native to Mexico, bocote is similar to rosewood but without the export restrictions), exceptionally executed, having high-quality drawbore mortise through-tenoned joinery strengthened with butterfly splines. Known as the "Sling Swinger", this masterpiece is one of Shoemaker's most iconic and timeless designs. Conceived as an "inverted rocking chair", the chair's seat and leather back move gently back and forth over the fixed structure, providing a slight rocking motion that makes the chair as comfortable, roomy and relaxing as it is attractive. Signed, retaining the original Señal, S.A. Hecho En Mexico sticker and USA patent label to the rear stretcher. Provenance / Acquisition: These chairs were part of the William Pahlmann (1900-1987) interior redesign of the Memorial Student Center / Theater Complex on the Texas A&M campus (College Station, Texas) which took place in the early 1970s and officially opened in 1975. Approximately thirty of these Sling Swinger chairs were placed around the MSC "Flag Room" which was designed and furnished by Pahlmann. During that time, the chairs' current owner was employed by Texas A&M and would greatly admire them, so when the opportunity presented itself in the mid-1980s at a Texas A&M surplus auction, the current owner was able to acquire these chairs directly from the university. Dimensions: (approx) 32.5" High, 30.5" Wide (at arm rests), 30" Deep; Seat height: 17.5" Condition: The collection of four chairs has been immaculately cared for and well preserved, moderately restored, while retaining original vintage character and charm. Excellent vintage condition, they present splendidly, with minimal wear consistent with age and use. Overall, truly superb examples. Please note, although they are shown outside for the photographs, they are indoor chairs and have never been stored outside. *Additional photos available upon request DON SHOEMAKER (1919 - 1990) Arguably, Mexico's greatest modern furniture designer, Don Shoemaker, was born in Nebraska in 1919 to an affluent family. During the 1930s, he studied at the Art Institute of Chicago. In the late 1940s, he married and subsequently, on his honeymoon, fell in love with Mexico. He loved the country so much that later in the 1940s, he moved to Mexico with his wife. Shoemaker lived and painted in a town called Santa Maria de Guido, overseeing the City of Morelia in Michoacán. Don and his wife Barbara lived in harmony with nature, growing many rare plants in their greenhouse. Don became inspired by the tropical woods of Mexico and began to manufacture furniture from these precious timbers. What began as a small factory in the late 1950s became known as Señal S.A and grew to where Don employed more than a hundred skilled artisans. Soon he became an important figure in the economic and cultural life of his adopted town. Señal S.A brought new wealth and an economic boost to the town, and Don was known for his warm and charitable heart. The furniture designed for Señal S.A by Don were modern interpretations of traditional Mexican furnishings. Many of his iconic designs were inspired by traditional Mexican woodwork. The pieces made from Cocobolo, a Mexican rosewood, and other precious woods are highly sought after. The furniture was exported to showrooms in Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, and large Mexican cities. His designs were liked very much by wealthy Mexican and American families who had complete sets decorating their homes. His most well-known designs include the Sling Sloucher chair, Sling Swinger chair, the Suspension stool, and his Coffee tables, which were also very popular. Don Shoemaker’s furniture, chairs, tables, and decorative objects remain popular worldwide. Don passed away in 1990 and handed the business over to his son George; however, George died in the early 2000s, and the company disappeared.

Creator:

Don S. Shoemaker (Designer),Senal (Workshop/Studio)

Dimensions:

Height: 32.5 in (82.55 cm)Width: 30.5 in (77.47 cm)Depth: 30 in (76.2 cm)Seat Height: 17.5 in (44.45 cm)

Style:

Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)

Materials and Techniques:

Leather,Wood,Hand-Carved,Hand-Crafted,Joinery

Place of Origin:

Mexico

Period:

Mid-20th Century

Date of Manufacture:

circa 1970

Condition:

Wear consistent with age and use. The collection of four chairs has been immaculately cared for & well preserved, moderately restored, while retaining original vintage character & charm. Excellent vintage condition, they present splendidly, with minimal wear consistent with age & use.

Seller Location:

Forney, TX

Reference Number:

1stDibs: LU5977238641732

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Shop All Don S. Shoemaker

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.