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.
Brazilian Modern Lidded Tobacco Jar in Jacaranda by Jean Gillon, 1970s
By Jean Gillon
Located in Stockholm, SE
Sculptural lidded tobacco jar carved from solid Brazilian rosewood (jacaranda), designed by Jean Gillon and produced in Brazil during the 1970s. The piece exemplifies Gillon’s refine...
Jacaranda, Rosewood
Jean Gillon. Set of 4 square trays, c. 1960
By Jean Gillon, Italma Wood Art
Located in PARIS, FR
Suite of four square trays designed by Jean Gillon, dating from about 1960. Each top is characterized by dimensions of 2 x 16 x 16 centimeters, offering a compact scale and a geometr...
Hardwood
1960s Brazilian Rosewood Humidor by Jean Gillon for Wood Art
By Jean Gillon
Located in Victoria, BC
We're thrilled to introduce the latest addition to our revered vintage Brazilian smalls collection: an iconic piece from the legendary designer Jean Gillon's Wood Art collection. Beh...
Rosewood
Mid Century Modern Decorative wood bowls designed by Jean Gillon
By Jean Gillon
Located in San Diego, CA
Brazilian Modern rosewood decorative bowl was designed by Jean Gillon for WoodArt and made in Brazil circa 1960. Handcrafted from hard Rosewood (also known as jacaranda), the bowl fe...
Rosewood
1960s Brazilian Rosewood Bowl by Jean Gillon for Wood Art
By Jean Gillon
Located in Victoria, BC
Introducing a remarkable piece from the Jean Gillon's Wood Art collection: discover this elegant wood bowl, expertly fashioned from a single piece of Rosewood with meticulous attenti...
Rosewood
1960s Brazilian Rosewood Tray Vessel by Jean Gillon for Wood Art
By Jean Gillon
Located in Victoria, BC
We are excited to offer this standout piece from the Jean Gillon collection: a decorative wood serving tray crafted from the finest jacaranda. Crafted with meticulous detail and unde...
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...
Jacaranda
1960s Brazilian Rosewood Handled Bowl by Jean Gillon
By Jean Gillon
Located in Victoria, BC
Introducing our latest addition to our Brazillian smalls collection, this 1960's handle bowl by Jean Gillon for his Wood Art collection. Crafted from the finest jacaranda, it exudes ...
Rosewood
Jean Gillon. Rectangular tray model 304, c. 1960. Wood Art
By Italma Wood Art, Jean Gillon
Located in PARIS, FR
Jean Gillon Rectangular Tray, Model 304, c. 1960 Label: Wood Art 1/304 Hardwood 2 x 35 x 12 cm 79/100 x 13 39/50 x 4 18/25 in This rare rectangular tray, model 304, was designed by ...
Hardwood
$3,486
Jean Gillon plate
By Jean Gillon
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Centre de table par Jean Gillon
Imbuia
Jean Gillon, Bol en bois massif, c. 1960
By Italma Wood Art, Jean Gillon
Located in PARIS, FR
Bowl with handle designed by Jean Gillon and produced by Italma/WoodArt, dating from the 1960s. Made from solid wood, this bowl has dimensions of 16 x 3 x 10 cm, giving it a compact ...
Hardwood
1960s Jean Gillon Tobacco Jar for Italma Wood Art Brazil
By Jean Gillon
Located in London, GB
Cigar humidor or tobacco jar from the 1960s. This iconic piece from the Italma Wood Art collection was created by Brazilian designer Jean Gillon. Very well crafted from the finest st...
Wood
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 ...
Jacaranda
1960s Brazilian Rosewood Pipe Holder Sculpture by Jean Gillon
By Jean Gillon
Located in Victoria, BC
Step into the realm of refined indulgence with the Jean Gillon pipe holder, meticulously crafted to cradle five of your prized pipes. Fashioned from exquisite rosewood, this piece ep...
Rosewood
1960s Amazonian Rosewood Pipe Holder Sculpture by Jean Gillon
By Jean Gillon
Located in Victoria, BC
Step into the realm of refined indulgence with the Jean Gillon pipe holder, meticulously crafted to cradle three of your prized pipes. Fashioned from rare Amazonian rosewood, this pi...
Rosewood
1960s Brazilian Rosewood Pipe Holder Sculpture by Jean Gillon
By Jean Gillon
Located in Victoria, BC
Step into the realm of refined indulgence with the Jean Gillon pipe holder, meticulously crafted to cradle three of your prized pipes. Fashioned from exquisite rosewood, this piece e...
Rosewood
Large Vintage Art Glass Bowl by Seguso Murano 1960s
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Vintage Art Glass Bowl by Seguso Murano 1960s An large and heavy art glass bowl, most probably designed by Flavio Poli or Mario Pinzoni and manufactured by Seguso Vetri D'Arte...
Art Glass
Mid Century Jewelry Box Hand Carved Wood Boob 1960s
By Dean Santner
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
This is a beautiful hand carved wood jewelry box in the style of Dean Santner. The boob shaped box twists open easily to reveal a compartment w...
Wood
Jens Quistgaard Rosewood Box for Dansk, Denmark, c.1960
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Jens Quistgaard Lidded Rosewood Box for the Dansk Rare Wood Collection, Denmark, c.1960.
Wood
Vintage Art Glass Bowl by Chribska Glasswork, 1960s
By Chribska Glassworks
Located in Praha, CZ
Beautiful vintage art glass bowl made by the famous Chribska Glasswork in former Chechoslovakia in the 1960s. There is an engraved mark '1414' a...
Art Glass
Dunhill Cork and Leather Tobacco Jar
By Dunhill
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome cork and leather tobacco jar from London. Beautiful patina to the cork and leather. Jar can be used as a tobacco, weed, or stash jar. Cork is a clas...
Leather, Cork
$6,990 / set
H 1.19 in W 2.17 in D 13.98 in
Set of 4 Chital Bowls, Set of 2 Cosmos Vases, 2 Rectangle Cosmos Trays
By Kifu Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. Set of 4 chital bowls, set of 2 cosmos vases, 2 rectangle cosmos trays...
Brass
Jean Boris LACROIX (1902-1984), catchall tray
By Jean Boris Lacroix
Located in Paris, FR
Jean Boris Lacroix (1902-1984) was a French designer and architect known for his modernist lighting designs. After apprenticing with Paul Dumas, he debuted at the Salon des Artistes ...
Metal, Nickel
$325
H 3.5 in W 8.25 in D 4 in
Vintage Wood Lined "Anno 1219" Lidded Box / Humidor by Iron Art of Copenhagen
By Chase and Co.
Located in San Diego, CA
A very rare wood lined "Anno 1219 Battle of Estonia" lidded box / humidor by Iron Art of Copenhagen, circa early 1900s. The casket box commemorates the Danish / Estonian Battle of Ly...
Iron
Small Mid-Century Modern Danish Studio Pottery Bowls, 1960s, Set of 2
Located in Hamburg, DE
Small Mid-Century Modern Danish Studio Pottery Bowls, 1960s, Set of 2
Ceramic
$4,782
H 7.88 in W 7.09 in D 5.52 in
Scandinavian, Stoneware Blue Lidded Jar, Jacob Bang, Own Studio, 1970s, Denmark
By Jacob Bang
Located in Odense, DK
A striking and rare studio piece by Danish ceramic artist Jacob Bang, this hand-crafted stoneware lidded jar embodies the sculptural sensibility and material depth that define Bang’s...
Stoneware
Dutch Tobacco Jar - 19th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Dutch Tobacco Jar Netherlands, 19th century 23 x 15 cm Georgian Dutch Tobacco Jar. Made from different woods, this ring turned Jars show a very nice patina.
Fruitwood
$243Sale Price|46% Off
H 4.73 in W 8.67 in D 3.94 in
Vintage Murano Art Glass Bowl by Fratelli Toso, 1960s
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Organically shaped art glass bowl or dish in ruby red and clear handblown glass. Designed and studio made by Fratelli Toso in Murano Italy during the 1960s. Measurements: W: 22, H: 1...
Art Glass
Jacaranda Wood Bowl By Jean Gillon For Wood Art, 1960
By Jean Gillon
Located in Toronto, ON
This is a masterful, smooth, exotic and beautifully hand carved Jacaranda wood bowl by Brazillian design icon Jean Gillon for Wood Art. It bears its original production label classifying it as 1/505. A rare beauty...
Wood
Sold
H 2.4 in W 6.5 in D 3.7 in
Midcentury Brazilian Modern Bowl in Hardwood by Jean Gillon, 1960s, Brazil
By Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
Available today, this midcentury Brazilian modern rosewood decorative Bowl was designed by Jean Gillon for WoodArt and made in Brazil circa 1960. Handcrafted from hard Rosewood (also known as jacaranda), the bowl features clean lines with elegant curves. The rosewood has two tones with stunning natural wood grain. The manufacturing seal is at the bottom of the bowl. Jean Gillon was a Brazilian furniture designer born in Romania in 1919. He studied at the Architecture and Fine arts Schools at the National University. After immigrating to São Paulo, Brazil in 1956, he founded his first company, Fábrica de Móveis Cidam, in 1961. Gillon's firm designed many luxury hotels, homes, and stores throughout Brazil. He was known for his one of a kind tapestries. His second furniture company, WoodArt, produced full lines of Brazilian rosewood furniture...
Wood
Sold
H 1.6 in W 24 in D 7.1 in
Midcentury Brazilian Modern Platter in Hardwood by Jean Gillon, 1960, Brazil
By Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
Available today, this midcentury Brazilian modern rosewood decorative platter was designed by Jean Gillon for WoodArt and made in Brazil circa 1960. Handcrafted from hard Rosewood (known as Jacaranda), this platter features clean lines with a unique rectangular shape and gentle, elegant curves. The rosewood is a deep, dark, rich tone with stunning natural wood grain. Size: H1.6, W24, D7.1 (in) H4, W61, D18 (cm) The same platter is featured in Jean Gillon’s book in page 125 Jean Gillon was a Brazilian furniture designer...
Hardwood
Jean Gillon, Bougeoir, c. 1960
By Jean Gillon
Located in PARIS, FR
Ce bourgeois de forme conique est fabriqué en bois brésilien massif. Conçu par l'icône artiste Jean Gillon dans les années 1960, dans une série pour l'atelier Italma.
Hardwood
Jean Gillon, Bol en bois, circa 1960
By Jean Gillon
Located in PARIS, FR
Ce bol de forme organique avec poignée est constitué en bois brésilien massif. Conçu par l'icône artiste Jean Gillon dans les années 1960, dans une série pour l'atelier Italma. Il ...
Hardwood
1960s Jean Gillon Jacaranda Rosewood Ice Bucket Brazilian Modern
By Jean Gillon
Located in Chula Vista, 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...
Rosewood
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 by Jean Gillon. Made 1960 by Italma Wood Art, Brazil. Originally designed as a tobacco pot but now serve...
Silver
Sold
H 2.25 in W 5.5 in D 6.5 in
Vintage Jean Gillon Pipe Stand in Jacaranda for Wood Art Midcentury, 1960s
By Jean Gillon
Located in San Antonio, TX
This vintage Jacaranda pipe stand by Jean Gillon for Wood Art midcentury is in overall good condition with minor veneer loss on the bottom. (See photos) Brazil, circa 1960s Dimensi...
Jacaranda
Jean Gillon Jacaranda Wood Bowl
By Italma, Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
Oval bowl with handles, hand-carved from a solid piece of beautifully figured Jacaranda wood. By Romanian-born Brazilian designer Jean Gillon, produced by his company, Italma Wood Ar...
Jacaranda
Jean Gillon Jacaranda Rosewood Ice Bucket for Italma
By Jean Gillon
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designer: Jean Gillon. Manufacturer: Italma Wood Art. Period/Style: Mid-Century Modern. Country: Brazil. Date: 1960s. Dimensions: 11″ H x 8.25″ W. Materials: Jacaranda Rosewo...
Jacaranda, Rosewood