Don Shoemaker Cocobolo Pencil Holder for Señal, Mexico, 1980s
About the Item
- Creator:Don S. Shoemaker (Designer),Senal (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 2.88 in (7.32 cm)Width: 4.63 in (11.77 cm)Depth: 11 in (27.94 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1980s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. This piece is in very good original condition with only very minor wear associated with light use.
- Seller Location:Costa Mesa, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5767234868352
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 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.
Senal
If it weren’t for his honeymoon, American furniture designer Don S. Shoemaker and his company, Señal S.A., 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, Shoemaker 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 modest factory became Señal S.A., 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 Señal S.A. tables, lounge chairs and other furniture.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Costa Mesa, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Onyx Stone Pen or Pencil Holder, Mexico, 1980sLocated in Costa Mesa, CAOnyx Stone Pencil Holder, Mexico, 1980s.Category
20th Century Mexican Modern Desk Sets
MaterialsStone, Onyx
- Modernist Solid Oak Pencil / Pen Holder, USA, 1970'sLocated in Costa Mesa, CAModernist Solid Oak Pencil / Pen Holder, USA, 1970's.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
MaterialsOak
- Stuart Kern " America " Leather Memo Pad Holder circa 1980Located in Costa Mesa, CAStuart Kern " America " Leather Memo Pad / Notepad Holder. circa 1980Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
MaterialsBrass
- Walnut Business Card Holder, 1960sBy Jens Risom, Florence KnollLocated in Costa Mesa, CAWalnut Business Card Holder, 1960s.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
MaterialsWalnut
- Modernist Oak Letter Tray, 1980'sBy Peter Pepper Products, Knoll, Stow DavisLocated in Costa Mesa, CAModernist Oak Letter Tray, 1980's.Category
20th Century Post-Modern Desk Sets
MaterialsOak
- Postmodern Glass Cube Paperweight, 1980'sLocated in Costa Mesa, CAPostmodern Glass Cube Paperweight, 1980'sCategory
20th Century American Modern Paperweights
MaterialsGlass
- Don Shoemaker for Señal Marquetry Paper TrayBy Don S. Shoemaker, SenalLocated in Los Angeles, CACocobolo paper tray with geometric pattern by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal, c.1960s, Mexico. Shoemaker is known for the marquetry in his work, which is clearly visible in the ...Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
MaterialsHardwood, Cocobolo, Rosewood
- Don Shoemaker Petite Hinged Lid Box for SeñalBy Don S. Shoemaker, SenalLocated in Los Angeles, CARectangular Cocobolo box by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal, c.1960s, Mexico. Shoemaker is known for his use of exotic Mexican hardwoods and this hinged lid box is a beautiful ex...Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes
MaterialsCocobolo
- 1970s Don Shoemaker for Señal Carved Root Wood Box MexicoBy Don S. Shoemaker, SenalLocated in Chula Vista, CA1970s Free form lidded box designer Don Shoemaker Mexico Retains original label Señal Cocobolo root wood 6.5 h x 4 d x 10 w Original vintage unrestored condition. Expect signs of vin...Category
Vintage 1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes
MaterialsCocobolo, Wood
- 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
- Set of Three Don Shoemaker Cocobolo Block Candle HoldersBy Senal, Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Los Angeles, CASet of three Don Shoemaker for Señal cocobolo candle holders. The hand carved minimalist rosewood candle holders feature a geometric block design with circular cutout design on each ...Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsCocobolo
- Don Shoemaker Spice Rack for Señal SABy Senal, Don S. ShoemakerLocated in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo LeonIn theory, this piece was part of a set of kitchen spice racks, the lid is missing, it can be used as a storage for pens or a sweet bowl Born in Nebraska, Don S. Shoemaker studied p...Category
Vintage 1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes
MaterialsHardwood