Solid Wood Side Table, by Jean Gillon, Brazilian Mid-Century Design Modern

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Solid Wood Side Table, by Jean Gillon, Brazilian Mid-Century Design Modern

About the Item

The side table designed by Jean Gillon, a prominent figure in Brazilian mid-century modern design, showcases the elegant simplicity and innovative use of materials characteristic of the period. This particular table is constructed with a warm-toned, robust wood, which was popular choices during that era for its beauty and durability. The design features a rectangular tabletop supported by a sturdy base. The legs are notable for their strong, geometric shape, providing a stable foundation with a clear mid-century modern aesthetic. An interesting design element is the use of cylindrical wooden pegs or handles protruding from each side of the table. These serve a dual purpose as decorative accents and practical handles to move the table easily. This feature reflects the mid-century modern ethos of combining form with function. The surface of the table shows a beautiful wood grain pattern, which is highlighted by the finish and adds to the visual interest of the piece. The simplicity of the design, with its clean lines and minimal ornamentation, is typical of Gillon's work, which often focused on the natural appeal of the materials and the functionality of the furniture. About the designer: Jean Gillon was a Romanian-born designer who played a significant role in Brazilian furniture design during the mid-20th century. Born in Romania in 1919, he initially studied architecture and design in Bucharest and later moved to Brazil in the 1950s, where he became a pivotal figure in the country's modernist design movement. Gillon's work in Brazil is marked by a deep respect for the materials he used, often incorporating Brazilian hardwoods such as jacaranda, rosewood, and imbuia into his designs. His approach was characterized by a combination of European design principles with Brazilian materials and techniques, which resulted in a unique fusion of styles. In Brazil, Jean Gillon founded Italma Wood Art, a company that produced a range of furnishings and decorative objects. Through Italma, he was able to explore and innovate with local materials, creating pieces that were not only functional but also had sculptural qualities. His designs are known for their aesthetic appeal, comfort, and quality craftsmanship. One of Gillon's most famous designs is the "Jangada" armchair, which showcases his innovative use of Brazilian woods and his ability to manipulate materials into organic shapes that conform to the human body. The "Jangada" chair, along with many other pieces by Gillon, has become a sought-after collector's item, emblematic of the rich heritage of Brazilian design. Gillon's contribution to Brazilian furniture is significant as he brought international attention to Brazilian design through his innovative work. His designs reflect the broader trends of Brazilian modernism, including a blend of traditional techniques and modern aesthetics, a focus on social and cultural themes, and the celebration of local materials and craftsmanship. Gillon passed away in 2007, but his legacy lives on through his influential designs and contributions to the world of furniture design.

Creator:
Jean Gillon (Designer)
Dimensions:
Height: 7.09 in (18 cm)Width: 33.47 in (85 cm)Depth: 26.38 in (67 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 2
Style:
Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Hardwood
Place of Origin:
Brazil
Period:
Mid-20th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1950s
Condition:
Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Sao Paulo, BR
Reference Number:
Seller: 67701stDibs: LU3173338112072

Shop All Jean Gillon

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.