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 cocobolo, a Mexican rosewood, and he decided to delve into furniture design. In the late 1950s, he started a small factory, producing hand-carved desks, 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 in 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.
$420Sale Price|20% Off
Mid-Century Modern Don Shoemaker Señal Service Tray Exotic Wood
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a mid-century modern Don S Shoemaker Señal service tray exotic woods. Mexico circa the 1980s. Geometric parquetry. Stamp present. Dimensions: 1.25" D x 15" L...
Wood
Don S. Shoemaker Mexican MCM Parquetery Hardwood Rectangular Cheveron Tray
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, MX
A classic 1970's Mexican hardwood parquetery serving tray by American designer Don S. Shoemaker. The rectangular tray's parquetery is composed by a chevron pattern. Don S. Shoemaker...
Hardwood
Don Shoemaker Geometric Marquetry Decorative Tray for Señal
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rosewood serving tray by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal in the 1960s. The surface of the tray has a repeating geometric marquetry pattern in a gradient of local Mexican hardwo...
Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Small Geometric Marquetry Decorative Tray for Señal
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rosewood serving tray by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal in the 1960s. The surface of the tray has a repeating geometric marquetry pattern in a gradient of local Mexican hardwood...
Hardwood, Rosewood
Don Shoemaker for Señal Geometric Marquetry Tray with Stand
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Serving tray and stand by Don Shoemaker for Senal of Mexico. The tray has a dark rosewood frame with integrated handles at either end, and the tray surface has a repeating geometric ...
Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Large Serving Tray /Cutting Board Made with Different Woods
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, MX
This is a Mexican wood tray, cutting board or serving platter made in 1960s in Michoacan, Mexico by Don Shoemaker. It is in excelllent condition and...
Hardwood
Don Shoemaker Rectangular Cocobolo Tray for Señal
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Narrow tray by Don Shoemaker for Señal, Mexico, c.1960s. The tray has a Cocobolo frame with integrated handles and features an inlaid striped pattern of rosewood. Retains original ma...
Hardwood, Rosewood, Cocobolo
Mid-Century Modern Don Shoemaker Service Tray Tapered Exotic Wood
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a service tray By Designer Don Shoemaker produced by Senal in Mexico 1970s. Marvelous mid-century service tray medley of exotic woods. Cut out handle for easy...
Rosewood, Cocobolo
$395Sale Price|43% Off
Mexican Modern Wood Tray By Don S. Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Houston, TX
Mexican Modern Wood Tray By Don S. Shoemaker. Offered is a beautiful Mexican modern tray with handles by Don Shoemaker. Made for Señal S.A. from Cocobolo Wood which is a Mexican rose...
Wood
Don Shoemaker Decorative Tray for Señal
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Serving tray by Don Shoemaker for Senal of Mexico. The tray has a dark rosewood frame with integrated handles at either end, and the tray surface is inlaid with precious wood veneer ...
Hardwood, Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Geometric Marquetry Decorative Tray for Señal
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rosewood serving tray by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal in the 1960s. The surface of the tray has a repeating geometric marquetry pattern in a gradient of local Mexican hardwo...
Rosewood
Contemporary Carved Walnut Cutting Board with Brass Accent
By Vincent Pocsik
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Contemporary natural cutting board by Vincent Pocsik. Carved walnut cutting board with natural finish. Natural food safe oil and wax finish. Vincent Pocsik finds the balance bet...
Walnut
"Egg Pebble" Maple Wood Cutting Board
By Fort Makers, Noah Spencer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Inspired by smoothed over, water-worn rocks, Noah Spencer's pebble cutting boards are a study in organic form. Whether hung on a wall in multiples to create a mosaic or piled on a co...
Hardwood, Maple
"Hexagon Pebble" Maple Wood Cutting Board
By Noah Spencer, Fort Makers
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Inspired by smoothed over, water-worn rocks, Noah Spencer's pebble cutting boards are a study in organic form. Whether hung on a wall in multiples to create a mosaic or piled on a co...
Hardwood, Maple
$219 / item
H 1.6 in W 15.75 in D 23.5 in
Two-sided Maple Wood Cutting Board and Serving Plate, Rettangolo, Made in Italy
By Miduny, Ale Preda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beauty meets function. This two-sided cutting board is made with European maple butcher block and carved at the corners with an ergonomic shape for easy handling. It’s a dinner party staple accommodating your laborious food preparation on the broad, flat side of the board while your appetizer compositions can take shape on the distinctly scalloped side. Designed in Brooklyn by Italian-born architect Ale Preda for Miduny, this artisanal product is made in Italy by master craftsmen. This board design comes in two versions. Rettangolo, the rectangular version featured in this listing, measures 23.5" x 15.75" x 1.6" thick. It feels large, heavy, and professional. Food safe finish. Maple from an FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified mill. You’ll be confident to show off those German knife...
Maple
$179 / item
H 1.6 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Two-sided Maple Wood Cutting Board and Serving Plate, Quadrato, Made in Italy
By Miduny, Ale Preda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beauty meets function. This two-sided cutting board is made with European maple butcher block and carved at the corners with an ergonomic shape for easy lifting and handling. It’s a dinner party staple accommodating your laborious food preparation on the broad, flat side of the board while your appetizer compositions can take shape on the distinctly scalloped side. Designed in Brooklyn by Italian-born architect Ale Preda for Miduny, this artisanal product is made in Italy by master craftsmen. This board design comes in two versions. Quadrato, the square version featured in this listing, measures 15.75" x 15.75" x 1.6" thick. It feels large, heavy and professional. Food safe finish. Maple from an FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified mill. You’ll be confident to show off those German knife...
Maple
$325
H 0.92 in W 18.75 in D 3.4 in
Mid-Century Modern Korina Wood Divided Serving Tray by Arthur Umanoff
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage hand carved rectangular wood tray features Modernist shape and graphic wood grain patterns with the natural tonal range. The handle is wrapped with reed or cane. Minimal shap...
Reed, Wood
Japanese Teak Wood Tray Modern Minimalist
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Japanese teak serving tray, Midcentury Modern design period, circa mid-20th century, 1960s, Japan. Tray is a warm brown teak, strategically arched design around, sleek 'h...
Teak, Wood
Chinese Hardwood Opium Tray, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
By the 18th century, opium use had become as central to Chinese social life as taking tea or smoking tobacco, fostering a subculture rich with its own customs, traditions, and exquis...
Hardwood
$115
H 0.75 in W 7 in D 11.5 in
Dansk End Grain Teak Lollipop Shaped Serving Board with Built in Knife
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Vintage lollipop shaped serving/cutting board with a built-in stainless steel knife hidden in the handle. Constructed in solid end-grain teak. Designer: Jens Quistgaard Manufa...
Stainless Steel
$425 / item
H 1.5 in W 12 in D 21 in
Contemporary Carved Walnut Ebonized Cutting Board with Brass Accent
By Vincent Pocsik
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Contemporary ebonized cutting board by Vincent Pocsik Carved walnut cutting board with ebonized finish. Natural food safe oil and wax finish. Vincent Pocsik finds the balan...
Walnut
$105Sale Price / item|25% Off
H 19.5 in W 15.5 in D 0.63 in
Large "Hexagon Pebble" Maple Wood Cutting Board
By Fort Makers, Noah Spencer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Inspired by smoothed over, water-worn rocks, Noah Spencer's pebble cutting boards are a study in organic form. Whether hung on a wall in multiples to create a mosaic or piled on a co...
Hardwood, Maple
Set of Wooden Decorative Boards
By Project 213A
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
Designed by Project 213A in 2022 Set of 4 hand-carved Wooden Boards The family of boards are hand-carved from walnut and oak. The boards will become a key item in every kitchen...
Oak, Walnut
Don Shoemaker Serving Tray of Mixed Woods of Mexico
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Oakland, CA
Craftsman Don Shoemaker of Mexico serving tray circa 1960s that can also be hang on a wall for both storage as well as decoration. Created out of ...
Hardwood, Sapele Wood
Don S. Shoemaker Mexican MCM Parquetry Hardwood Rectangular Tray
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, MX
A classic 1970's Mexican hardwood parquetry serving tray by American designer Don S. Shoemaker. The rectangular tray's parquetry is composed by a trompe l'œil design of cubes and two...
Hardwood
Don Shoemaker Small Chevron Marquetry Decorative Tray for Señal
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rosewood serving tray by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal in the 1960s. The surface of the tray has a repeating chevron marquetry pattern in a gradient of local Mexican hardwoods....
Hardwood, Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Chevron Marquetry Decorative Tray for Señal
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rosewood serving tray by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal in the 1960s. The surface of the tray has a repeating chevron marquetry pattern in a gradient of local Mexican hardwoods....
Rosewood, Hardwood
Don Shoemaker Decorative Tray for Señal
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Serving tray by Don Shoemaker for Senal of Mexico. The tray has a dark rosewood frame with integrated handles at either end, and the tray surface is inlaid with precious wood veneer ...
Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Geometric Marquetry Decorative Tray for Señal
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rosewood serving tray by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal in the 1960s. The surface of the tray has a repeating geometric linear marquetry pattern in a gradient of local Mexican...
Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Cocobolo Tray for Señal
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cocobolo tray by Don Shoemaker for Señal, Mexico, c.1960s. The tray has a Cocobolo frame with integrated handles and features an inlaid striped pattern of rosewood. Retains original ...
Rosewood, Cocobolo
Don Shoemaker for Señal Geometric Marquetry Tray with Stand
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Serving tray and stand by Don Shoemaker for Senal of Mexico. The tray has a dark rosewood frame with integrated handles at either end, and the tray surface is inlaid with precious wo...
Rosewood
Don Shoemaker Wood Inlaid Chevron Pattern Cutting Board for Señal
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cutting board by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal in the 1960s. The surface of the board has a repeating chevron marquetry pattern in a gradient of local Mexican hardwoods that ca...
Rosewood, Cocobolo
Don Shoemaker for Señal Diamond Geometric Marquetry Tray
By Don S. Shoemaker, Senal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Serving tray by Don Shoemaker for Senal of Mexico. The tray has a dark rosewood frame with integrated handles at either end, and the tray surfa...
Rosewood
Don Shoemaker for Señal Geometric Marquetry Decorative Tray
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rosewood serving tray by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal in the 1960s. The surface of the tray has a repeating geometric marquetry pattern in a gradient of local Mexican hardwo...
Rosewood
Don Shoemaker for Señal Geometric Marquetry Decorative Tray
By Senal, Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rosewood serving tray by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal in the 1960s. The surface of the tray has a repeating geometric marquetry pattern in a gradient of local Mexican hardwo...
Rosewood