Jean Gillon Amazonas Sofa
About the Item
- Creator:Italma Wood Art (Manufacturer),Jean Gillon (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)Width: 86 in (218.44 cm)Depth: 35 in (88.9 cm)Seat Height: 14 in (35.56 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1970
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor wear throughout including scattered abrasions and areas of transfer to frame. Leather cushion shows even darkened crazing as well as some losses and small separation to stitching . Good overall condition.
- Seller Location:Chicago, IL
- Reference Number:
Jean Gillon
Although he was Romanian by birth, architect and designer Jean Gillon’s heart and soul belonged to his adopted country of Brazil. The country’s culture and revered architecture served as a muse for his mid-century furniture designs. Today Gillon ranks among the most interesting figures in Brazilian modernism, which is characterized by sensual forms and beautifully handcrafted chairs, tables and cabinets built from exotic hardwoods.
Gillon was born in Iasi and graduated from the city’s George Enescu National University of the Arts. He then moved to Paris, where he studied tapestry, worked at the newspaper Le Monde as a cartoonist and moonlighted as a set designer for the Paris Opera Ballet. He eventually left Paris for Vienna, where he studied architecture at the School of Industrial Arts, known today as the University of Applied Arts. In the early 1950s, Gillon was a visiting lecturer at London’s Central School of Arts and Crafts.
In 1956, Gillon moved with his wife and two daughters to São Paulo, where he developed a passion for Brazilian architecture, namely the work of modernists such as celebrated architect Lina Bo Bardi and designer José Zanine Caldas. Gillon took on interior decorating projects and formed the Fábrica de Móveis Cidam, which later became Italma Wood Art, in order to design furniture for his clients. Gillon’s furnishings, produced at Italma and also in collaboration with manufacturers such as Probel, were immensely popular and could be found in the planned capital city of Brasilia, a project launched in 1956 by Oscar Niemeyer.
Gillon designed everything from bowls and baskets to centerpieces, tables and other objects and furniture. However, he was best known for his lounge chairs and sofas, including his iconic Jangada chair. Named for the Portuguese word for traditional Brazilian fishing boats, the award-winning Jangada was framed in jacaranda in the late 1960s. The welcoming seat of Gillon’s visually striking trapezoidal lounge chair features plush leather cushions that are supported by nylon fishing rope.
Gillon continued to produce furniture for Italma Wood Art until he retired in 2003. He died in 2007, and today Gillon’s pieces remain highly covetable among interior designers and collectors of modern furniture.
On 1stDibs, find a range of vintage Jean Gillon seating, decorative objects and serveware.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Lambertville, NJ
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Craft Associates SofaBy Craft Associates, Milo BaughmanLocated in Chicago, ILMade in: USA, circa 1970s-1980s Material: upholstery, chrome-plated steel, walnut Size: 85.25 W × 36 D × 21.5 H in seat height 15 inches Condition: Good overall vintage cond...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsSteel, Chrome
- Carl Malmsten SofaBy Carl MalmstenLocated in Chicago, ILMade in: Sweden, c. 1950 Material: faux sheepskin, beech Size: 61.5 W × 31 D × 32.5 H in seat height 16.5 inches Description: Metal manufacturer's labels to underside ‘AB O.H.Sjogren Stoppmobler Tranas Sweden Model Komponerad AV Carl Malmsten’.Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Beech
- Carl Malmsten SofaBy Carl MalmstenLocated in Chicago, ILMade in: Sweden, c. 1950. Material: faux shagreen upholstery, beech. Size: 63 W × 32 D × 33.25 H in seat height 16.5 inches.Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Beech
- Hans J. Wegner AP18 SofaBy Hans J. Wegner, A.P. StolenLocated in Chicago, ILMade by: A.P. Stolen, Denmark Material: oak, upholstery Size: 75 W × 31 D × 30 H in seat height 16 inches.Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Oak
- George Nelson & Associates Sling SofaBy George NelsonLocated in Chicago, ILMade by: Herman Miller, USA, 1963 Material: leather, chrome-plated steel, rubber Size: 112 W × 32 D × 29 H in The luxurious model 6833 Sling sofa ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsSteel
- Afra and Tobia Scarpa Artona Settee by MaxaltoBy MaxaltoLocated in Chicago, ILAfra and Tobia Scarpa Artona settee by Maxalto Made by Maxalto, Italy, 1975 Additional information: Material: Walnut, mohair, ebony...Category
20th Century Italian Settees
MaterialsUpholstery
- Jean Gillon Rodeio sofa Italma Woodart Brazil 1965By Jean Gillon, Italma Wood ArtLocated in Roosendaal, Noord BrabantTypical Brazilian modern sofa model 'Rodeio' designed by Jean Gillon and manufactured by Italma Woodart, Brazil 1965. This sofa features a sturdy rosewood frame in a rich brown-red h...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Rosewood
- Chic Vintage Leather Jean Gillon Amazonas Italma Brazilian Rosewood Sofa ModernBy Jean GillonLocated in Pemberton, NJChic vintage Jean Gillon Italma Brazilian leather and Rosewood Amazonas sofa. This sofa measures 85" W × 34" D × 30" H and the seat height is 14". Decal manufacturer's label to the ...Category
Vintage 1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsRosewood, Leather, Rope
- Jean Gillon "Rodeio" sofa, Brazil, 1960sBy Jean GillonLocated in Stockholm, SEProduced in the 1960s by Wood Art Brazil. Jean Gillon (1919–2007) was born in Lasi, Romania. In 1956, already possessing a consistent portfolio, he moved to São Paulo, where he dev...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- Jean Gillon, 2-seater sofa, c. 1970. Probel LabelBy Jean GillonLocated in PARIS, FRThe 2-seater sofa designed by Brazilian designer Jean Gillon is an elegant and comfortable piece. It consists of a solid wood frame, covered with a white cotton curly fabric. The fab...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Canapes
MaterialsUpholstery, Hardwood
- "Amazonas" Armchair by Jean Gillon for Italma Wood Art, Brazil, 1970sBy Italma Wood Art, Jean GillonLocated in Paris, FR"Amazonas" armchair by Jean Gillon for Italma Wood Art, Brazil, 1970s.Category
Vintage 1970s French Armchairs
MaterialsWood
- Jean Gillon Sofa Produced by Wood Art in BrazilBy Jean GillonLocated in Limhamn, Skåne länRare sofa designed by Jean Gillon. Produced by Wood Art in Brazil.Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBrass