Jean Gillon Furniture
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.
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Creator: Jean Gillon
Brazilian Stool Footrest Ottoman by Jean Gillon
By Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
Hard to find item by Brazilian designer Jean Gillon. This example is in fair condition, showing cosmetic wear and one tenon has been cracked and re-glued.
Category
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
Jean Gillon Sofa Produced by Wood Art in Brazil
By Jean Gillon
Located in Malmo, SE
Rare sofa designed by Jean Gillon. Produced by Wood Art in Brazil.
Category
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Brass
Jaganda Armchair with Ottoman by Jean Gillon, 1968
By Jean Gillon
Located in Melides, PT
Jaganda armchair
By Jean Gillon 1968
Frequently refered to as the most notorious work by Jean Gillon, the "Jangada" armchair was designed with the foreign market specifically i...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
Jean Gillon Brazilian Modern Lounge Chairs, a Pair
By Jean Gillon, Italma
Located in Raleigh, NC
An outstanding vintage pair of lounge chairs by Jean Gillon. These have a Jacaranda rosewood frame with original leather cushioned seats. A wonderfully comfortable pair of Brazilian ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Leather, Jacaranda
Rare Jean Gillon Rodeio Lounge Chair for Italma Wood Art
By Jean Gillon
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Impressive large lounge chair „Rodeio“ by Jean Gillon produced by Italma Wood Art in the late 1950s-early 1960s in Brazil. The chair features a beautifully designed solid jacaranda w...
Category
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Leather, Jacaranda
Pair of Copa Lounge Chair, by Jean Gillon, Brazilian Midcentury Design
By Jean Gillon
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
This beautiful pair of "Copa" lounge chairs, designed by master Jean Gillon, is a rare and functional piece that can change to any interior. The structure made of solid Brazilian har...
Category
Early 20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Village Lounge Chair, by Jean Gillon, Brazilian Mid-Century Design
By Jean Gillon
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
This outstanding pair of "Village" lounge chairs, designed by the master Jean Gillon for the "Eldorado Hotel" is a rare and functional piece. It has simple lines and smart fittings, ...
Category
Early 20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Wood
Rare Pair Jean Gillon Rosewood Leather Lounge Chair Ottoman Probel Brazilian
By Jean Gillon
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Rare pair Jean Gillon for Probel rosewood and leather lounge chairs and ottomans. The rosewood frames are in great condition with minor wear. The original beige leather is in good co...
Category
1960s Brazilian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
Brazilian Jangada Rosewood & Leather Sling Chair with Ottoman by Jean Gillon
By Jean Gillon, Percival Lafer, Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Chattanooga, TN
This Jean Gillon Jangada armchair and ottoman were completely disassembled and each piece of rosewood was stripped, sanded and refinished in multiple coats of hand-buffed finishing o...
Category
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Leather, Rosewood, Rope
Rodeio Armchair, by Jean Gillon, Brazilian Hardwood, Brazilian Midcentury
By Jean Gillon
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The Rodeio armchair is one of the best creations by Jean Gillon. Besides its stunning design and super comfortable shape, it is made of solid Brazilian hardwood. This is a rare and f...
Category
Early 20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Jacaranda
Jean Gillon Amazonas Sofa
By Italma Wood Art, Jean Gillon
Located in Chicago, IL
Made by: Italma Wood Art, Brazil
Material: rosewood, rope, leather
Size: 86 W × 35 D × 30 H in seat height 14 inches
Decal manufacturer's label to interior of back stretcher...
Category
1970s Brazilian Vintage Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Leather, Rope, Rosewood
Jean Gillon Cognac Patchwork Leather Club Chairs by Probel, Brazil 1970s
By Jean Gillon, Probel
Located in Vienna, AT
Jean Gillon cognac patchwork leather club chairs by Probel, Brazi 1970s.
Category
1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Chic Vintage Leather Jean Gillon Amazonas Italma Brazilian Rosewood Sofa Modern
By Jean Gillon
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Chic 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
1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Rosewood, Leather, Rope
1960s Wood, Leather Cushion Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Jean Gillon
By Jean Gillon, Sergio Rodrigues, wood art
Located in Frankfurt, Hessen, DE
Captain´s chair, wood, leather, lounge chair with ottoman by Jean Gillon, Brazil, 1960.
Attached to the distinctive trapezoidal base form of Brazilian wood is a fishing net-like n...
Category
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
Jean Gillon for Probel Leather and Brazilian Rosewood Sofa, c. 1970, Signed
By Jean Gillon, Probel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This rare Brazilian Modern sofa is by Jean Gillon for Probel and features a gorgeous Brazilian Jacaranda frame with very-comfortable black leather cushions and arms with contrasting ...
Category
1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
Jean Gillon "Rodeio" Midcentury brazilian Armchair in Wood Structure, 1960s
By Jean Gillon
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
We work with artisans who masterfully restore typical pieces from each period of our history, valuing their different preservation techniques. Teamwork has built this pioneering comp...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
Jean Gillon "Rodeio" Midcentury brazilian sofa in Wood with Leather, 60s
By Jean Gillon
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
We work with artisans who masterfully restore typical pieces from each period of our history, valuing their different preservation techniques. Teamwork has built this pioneering comp...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Easy Chairs and Ottoman by Jean Gillon for Italma W
By Jean Gillon
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Brazilian easy chairs and ottoman by Jean Gillon for Italma Wood Art, Brazil, 1960s
Romanian-born, naturalized Brazilian Jean Gillon was an architect-designer b...
Category
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Leather, Fabric, Wood
Midcentury Brazilian Drop-Leaf Table by Jean Gillon
By Jean Gillon, Italma Wood Art
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration is this fantastic side table or entry way table, or even a small desk by Jean Gillon made of native hardwood Jangada (a type of Bolivian rosewood). Featuring a...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Jacaranda, Rosewood
Jean Gillon 1960s Brazilian Jacaranda Wood Three-Seat Sofa in Tan Suede
By Jean Gillon
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautifully restored 1960s Jean Gillon three-seat sofa made of Brazilian jacaranda wood upholstered in tan suede.
Category
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Jacaranda, Suede, Wood
Rare Jean Gillon Rosewood Leather Lounge Chair Ottoman Probel Brazilian
By Jean Gillon, Probel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare Jean Gillon for Probel rosewood and leather lounge chair and ottoman. Both are in great vintage condition, with minor wear. Rosewood frames are in great condition with minor wea...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Leather
Fabulous Brazilian Rosewood Jean Gillon Lounge Chair and Ottoman for Probel
By Jean Gillon
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Fabulous Brazilian rosewood Jean Gillon Lounge Chair and Ottoman for Probel. This set is in remarkable vintage condition-came from a million dollar mansion in Washington D.C. The cha...
Category
1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
Iconic Brazilian "Jangada" Lounge Chair by Jean Gillon in Jacaranda, 1968
By Jean Gillon
Located in Houston, TX
Jean Gillon, 'Jangada' armchair and ottoman, rosewood, nylon rope, cognac leather, Brazil, 1968.
This robust and hefty armchair is designed by Jean Gillon. The originality of this...
Category
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
Jean Gillon Mid Century Desk Chair
By Jean Gillon
Located in Countryside, IL
Jean Gillon mid century desk chair
The chair measures: 23 wide x 26.25 deep x 35 high, with a seat height of 22.25 inches and arm height/chair clearance of 27.5 inches
Ready fo...
Category
1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Chrome
1960s brown wood, leather cushion Stool by Jean Gillon 'a'
By wood art, Sergio Rodrigues, Jean Gillon
Located in Frankfurt, Hessen, DE
Wood, leather, stool by Jean Gillon, Brazil, 1960.
Very seldom stool of the Brazilian Jean Gillon made of wood with arched side frames, comes in excellent original condition. The le...
Category
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Wood, Leather
Large Jacaranda Pieces by Jean Gillon
By Jean Gillon
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Platter/tray is 24" x 7" x 2", carved from a solid piece of Brazilian jacaranda ($2700). Bowl is 15" d x 5" in jigsaw staved bands of solid jacaranda ($3500). Both items with paper l...
Category
1950s Vintage Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Jacaranda
Brazilian Jacaranda Wood Tray Designed by Jean Gillon for Wood Art
By Jean Gillon
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this Brazilian Jacaranda wood tray designed by Jean Gillon, circa 1960. Excellent vintage condition, very minor scratches on underside consistent with age and use. Includes ...
Category
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Jacaranda
Brazilian Mid-century Serving Table in Rosewood by Jean Gillon for WoodArt
By wood art, Jean Gillon
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Rare Brazilian mid-century serving table in solid rosewood and white formica designed by Jean Gillon and manufactured by WoodArt in the 1960s. Is is listed in the catalogue as number...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Formica, Rosewood
Iron and Wood Chair by Jean Gillon for Italma
By Jean Gillon
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
We work with artisans who masterfully restore typical pieces from each period of our history, valuing their different preservation techniques. Teamwork has built this pioneering comp...
Category
1960s Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Iron
Jean Gillion Executive Desk in Jacaranda Wood for Italma
By Jean Gillon
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and rare desk designed by Jean Gillion for Italma made in Brazil, circa 1960s with chrome accents, freshly restored with a couple of small repairs as shown overall great co...
Category
20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Chrome
1960s Jean Gillon Jacaranda Rosewood Ice Bucket Brazilian Modern
By Jean Gillon
Located in National City, CA
Brazil Ice Bucket
Jean Gillon Jacaranda Rosewood Small Safe Box Ice Bucket.
Made in Brazil, Circa the 1960s.
Dimensions: 15.5" H X 10" D X 7" W
Very good vintage unrestored conditi...
Category
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Jacaranda Wood Bowl by Jean Gillon for Italma/Georg Jensen, 1960s
By Jean Gillon
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Organically shaped bowl in Brazilian Jacaranda wood. Designed by Brazilian wood art icon Jean Gillon during the 1960s in a series for Italma and Georg Jensen in Denmark. Due to Cites...
Category
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Jacaranda
Jacaranda and Sterling Silver Pot by Jean Gillon, Italma Wood, Brazil, 1960
By Italma, Jean Gillon
Located in Utrecht, NL
Collectable solid jacaranda wooden pot with a sterling (925 marked) handgrip.
Originally designed as a tobacco pot but will now serve as a high quality decorative interior object.
Ma...
Category
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Silver
Petite Jean Gillon Pipe Holder In Jacaranda - Brazil 1960's - Ipso Facto
By Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
petite pipe stand by Jean Gillon in solid Jacaranda for Italma
Category
1960s Brazilian Vintage Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Jacaranda
Mid-Century Easy Chair by Jean Gillon Rosewood Suede, Brazil, 1960s
By Jean Gillon
Located in Munster, DE
Rare Brazilian rosewood easy chair by Jean Gillon from the 1960s. The chair has been refinished but has original suede cushions. The buyer receives the CITES permit with the purchase...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Suede, Rosewood
Jean Gillon, Leather Chair and Ottoman, Brazil, circa 1960s
By Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
With its slung arms, reclined seat, and plush, leather upholstery, this chair, created by Jean Gillon in the 1960s, possesses a quintessential Brazilian aesthetic. The piece comes wi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Brass
Jean Gillon Jangada Lounge Chair with Ottoman, Brazil, 1960s
By Jean Gillon
Located in San Antonio, TX
Jean Gillon, Jangada lounge chair with ottoman, rosewood, nylon rope, leather, Brazil, 1960s. This iconic armchair is designed by Jean Gillon. The originality of this Jangada Armchai...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Leather, Rosewood, Nylon
Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Jean Gillon Rosewood Suede, Brazil, 1960s
By Jean Gillon
Located in Munster, DE
Rare Brazilian rosewood sofa by Jean Gillon from the 1960s. The sofa has been refinished but has original suede cushions. The buyer receives the CITES permit with the purchase (see p...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Suede, Rosewood
Brazilian Jangada Chair and Ottoman by Jean Gillon
By Jean Gillon
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jangada chair and ottoman by Jean Gillon in Brazilian jacaranda upholstered in black leather.
Category
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Jacaranda, Leather
Parquet 1960s Brazilian Jacaranda Desk by Jean Gillon
By Jean Gillon
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous 1960s jacaranda desk by Jean Gillon with parquet top and six drawers.
Category
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Furniture
Materials
Jacaranda
Jean Gillon furniture for sale on 1stDibs
Jean Gillon furniture is available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive objects are often made of wood and designed with extraordinary care. In our collection of Jean Gillon furniture there are many options to choose from, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. There are 38 vintage versions of these items in stock, while there is 0 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Jean Gillon were created in South America during the 20th century in the Mid-Century Modern style. If you are looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture from Martin Eisler, Carlo Hauner and Forma Brazil. The prices for Jean Gillon furniture can vary depending on size, time period and other attributes. The price for these items starts at $1,000 and tops out at $26,800, while pieces like these can sell for $8,600 on average.