Don Shoemaker Rosewood and Leather Folding Stool, Senal Mexico
View Similar Items
Don Shoemaker Rosewood and Leather Folding Stool, Senal Mexico
About the Item
- Creator:Don S. Shoemaker (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 19 in (48.26 cm)Width: 20 in (50.8 cm)Depth: 18 in (45.72 cm)Seat Height: 19 in (48.26 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Unknown
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. The stool has been waxed and cleaned, is in original condition.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU80891142920
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.
- Don Shoemaker Parquetry Work Box for Senal SA, Mexico, LabelBy Don S. Shoemaker, SenalLocated in Los Angeles, CAGreat parquetry box, designed for Don Shoemaker, label, Senal SA.Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Modern Boxes
MaterialsWood
- Don Shoemaker Salt and Pepper Set with Tray of Rosewood, Oak and Mixed WoodsBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Los Angeles, CAVery nice and great modern desgin in this rare set by Don Shoemaker.Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Tableware
MaterialsWood
- Rosewood, Palisander Tall, Ice Bucket by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, StampedBy Dansk, Jens QuistgaardLocated in Los Angeles, CAGreat ice buacket designed, by Quistgaard, made for Dansk.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Modern Barware
MaterialsRosewood
- Illums Bolighus Leather Table Lamp Designed by Lisa Johansson Pape, DenmarkBy Lisa Johansson-Pape, Illums BolighusLocated in Los Angeles, CAVery nice black leather table lamp designed by Lisa Johansson-pape, made by Blights. Measures with the shade 24 inches high. To the electric socket 16 inches, Base 3.5 inches square....Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsLeather
- Elsa Peretti leather jewelry box /trinket heart shape love , for Tiffany & CoBy Tiffany & Co., Elsa PerettiLocated in Los Angeles, CABeautiful heart shape, Love leather box designed by the well known artist / designer Elsa Peretti.Category
Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Jewelry Boxes
MaterialsLeather
- Arne Jacobsen for Fritz and Hansen teak and chrome tableBy Hans J. Wegner, Arne JacobsenLocated in Los Angeles, CANice and clean dining table designed by Arne Jacobsen made by Fritz and Hansen shows ink stamp lable and Danish control lable.Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsWood
- Mexican Folding Stool by Don ShoemakerBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Mexico City, CDMXAmazing, rare and interesting folding stool, it can be used as magazine rack, circa 1960 and designed by Don Shoemaker, includes original handmade label.Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsPine
- Expertly Restored - Don Shoemaker Folding Leather & Rosewood StoolBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Los Angeles, CADon Shoemaker Folding Leather & Rosewood Stool for Señal Furniture ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing hi...Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsLeather, Rosewood
- Rare Mexican Small Folding Stool Attributed to Don ShoemakerBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Mexico City, CDMXAmazing, rare and interesting folding stool, it can be used as magazine rack, circa 1960.Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsPine
- 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
- 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
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWood
- Don Shoemaker Rosewood and Leather ‘Sloucher’ Chairs, Mexico 1950sBy Senal, Don S. ShoemakerLocated 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
