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.
Jean Gillon. Set of 4 square trays, c. 1960
By Italma Wood Art, Jean Gillon
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
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
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
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
$3,471
Jean Gillon plate
By Jean Gillon
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Centre de table par Jean Gillon
Imbuia
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
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 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
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
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
$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
Gianfranco Frattini, Red Centerpiece / Tray, Progetti Italy, 1970s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Progetti
Located in Firenze, IT
Red enamelled aluminium stackable tray / centerpiece designed by Gianfranco Frattini Manufactured by Progetti, Italy, 1970s. Manufacturer's label on the base Measures: Heigh...
Aluminum
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
O'Connor Bowl by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
O'Connor bowl by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 41.5 cm D 16 cm H 9.5 cm. Materials: dark bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on pro...
Bronze
$1,627
H 6.89 in W 12.41 in D 12.21 in
Italian Rattan and Brass Round Centerpiece Tray Basket with Handles, c. 1970
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mid-Century Modern brass and bamboo / rattan large round basket tray or centerpiece with handles. Handcrafted in Italy, 1970s. This rattan basket centerpiece was handcrafted in Ital...
Brass
$130Sale Price|70% Off
H 3.15 in W 9.45 in D 4.34 in
Art Glass Bowl By Josef Hospodka For Sklarny Chribska, 1960s
By Josef Hospodka, Chribska Glassworks
Located in Zohor, SK
Beautiful bohemian art glass bowl by one of the Czechoslovakian greatest glass designers Josef Hospodka. The bowl is made of metallurgical art glass of pink glass. The design is very...
Art Glass
$500
H 2.5 in W 3 in D 2.6 in
Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Pipe Holder in Hardwood, Jean Gillon, 1960s
By Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
Produced by WoodArt in Brazil during the mid-century period, this pipe holder reflects the company’s commitment to sculptural form and material integrity. Conceived as both a functio...
Hardwood
Group of 15 decorative ceramic bowls, Rörstrand Mid-century Modern
By Gunnar Nylund, Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely group of fifteen bowls with stunning glazes designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane & Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand in the 1950s. The largest bowl is 17 x 11 cm in diameter and the sma...
Porcelain
Large Vintage Art Glass Bowl by Seguso Murano 1960s
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
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 Modern Teak Wood Bowls, Sweden, Set of 4
Located in Grythyttan, SE
A very stylish mid-century modern four teak wood bowls. Designed and manufactured in Sweden. Whether displayed as a standalone art pieces or used practically to hold fruits, decorati...
Teak
$242Sale 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
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
Jean Gillon Jacaranda Wood Bowl
By Jean Gillon, Italma
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