Abstract Box by Don Shoemaker
About the Item
- Creator:Don S. Shoemaker (Author)
- Dimensions:Height: 2.37 in (6 cm)Width: 13.78 in (35 cm)Depth: 9.06 in (23 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Cocobolo,Woodwork
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Mexico City, MX
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4252226111062
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Mexico City, Mexico
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Don Shoemaker Desk Top Business Card HolderBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Mexico City, CDMXWe offer this rare business card holder made in Cocobolo and granadillo wood, includes Original label of Señal S.A., circa 1970.Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes
MaterialsCocobolo
- Headboard by Don ShoemakerBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Mexico City, CDMXCirca 1970. We offer this headboard designed by Don Shoemaker. Made in cocobolo wood.Category
Vintage 1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Bedroom Sets
MaterialsWood
- Don Shoemaker TrayBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Mexico City, CDMXCirca 1960, We offer this beautiful tray made in solid cocobolo wood designed by Don Shoemaker, produced at Señal, Morelia, Mexico with original label.Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
MaterialsWood
- Mexican Modern Bookends by Don ShoemakerBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Mexico City, CDMXCirca 1970. We offer this Hand carved bookends made in Cocobolo by Mexican Modernist Don Shoemaker. Include original labels from his workshop in Señal Mexico.Category
Vintage 1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Bookends
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
- Mexican Jewelry Box in the Style of Don ShoemakerBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Mexico City, CDMXCirca 1970 We offer this rare Mexican jewelry box in the style of Don Shoemaker.Category
Vintage 1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Sculptures and Carvings
MaterialsWood
- Don Shoemaker Midcentury Organic Jacaranda Wood Jewelry BoxBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in New York, NYMidcentury Rustic organic form jacaranda wood jewelry box with a bark exterior, and single drawer with wooden pull. (DON SHOEMAKER).Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
MaterialsWood
- Don Shoemaker Petite Hinged Lid Box for SeñalBy Senal, Don S. ShoemakerLocated 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
- Don Shoemaker Mixed Woods Trinket Box Circa 1960sBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Peabody, MAMixed woods trinket box, including rosewood and Mexican hardwoods such as jacaranda and cocobolo, by Don Shoemaker, Mexico, circa 1960s.Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes
MaterialsJacaranda, Rosewood, Cocobolo
- Don Shoemaker Cylindrical VesselBy Senal, Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Los Angeles, CAA Rosewood cylindrical vessel with geometric pattern by Don Shoemaker for his company Señal in the 1960s. Shoemaker is known for the marquetry in his w...Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes
MaterialsRosewood
- 1970s Don Shoemaker for Señal Carved Root Wood Box MexicoBy Senal, Don S. ShoemakerLocated 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 S. Shoemaker Mexican Modern Inlaid Mixed Woods Parquetry Hinged BoxBy Don S. ShoemakerLocated in Palm Springs, CAInlaid mixed woods parquetry box created by Don Shoemaker, circa 1960s. Box measures 2.25" by 6.5" by 5.5" and is in very good vintage condition showing some wear. Signed with the Do...Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes
MaterialsWood