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.
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
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 2.5 in W 11.75 in D 5.875 in
Extra Large Bodil Eje Danish Rosewood Box / Humidor by Alfred Klitgaard
By Alfred Klitgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautifully crafted extra large solid rosewood trinket box / humidor by Danish craftsman Alfred Klitgaard, circa 1960s. Very detailed construction and exquisite finish with a three g...
Rosewood
Thuya Wood Cigar Humidor by Elie Bleu
By Elie Bleu
Located in Northampton, GB
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING This exceptional Elie Bleu Paris humidor is veneered in beautifully figured thuya wood, showcasing a striking grain pattern and characteristic burr pips thr...
Thuya
$500
H 1.19 in W 4.93 in D 13.19 in
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
Hermès Burl Thuya Wood Humidor
Located in London, GB
A superb cigar humidor made to an Hermès design and specification by renowned humidor specialist Elie Bleu. Veneered in polished burl Thuya Wood and lined in cedar, with two original...
Wood, Cedar
$3,942
H 5.52 in W 15.75 in D 9.06 in
A 20th Century Rosewood and Brass Cigar Humidor Box by Maison Jansen
Located in London, GB
France, circa 1950 A twentieth century cigar humidor box by Maison Jansen of Paris, the body veneered in figured rosewood with brass stringing and inset carrying handles, the hinged...
Wood
$1,600
H 2 in W 15 in D 4 in
Decorative Tray with Three Compartments in Brazilian Rosewood, Jean Gillon, 1958
By Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
A sculptural study in utility and form, this rare three-compartment decorative tray by Jean Gillon embodies the architect-designer's enduring fascination with organic geometry and th...
Rosewood
$540Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.5 in W 7 in D 4 in
Bodil Eje Danish Rosewood Box / Humidor by Alfred Klitgaard
By Alfred Klitgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautifully crafted solid rosewood trinket box / humidor with divider by Danish craftsman Alfred Klitgaard. This pieces was produced in the late 1950s-early 1960s. The construction i...
Rosewood
$680Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.75 in W 7.5 in D 5 in
Bodil Eje Danish Rosewood Box / Humidor by Alfred Klitgaard
By Alfred Klitgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautifully crafted solid rosewood trinket box / humidor by Danish craftsman Alfred Klitgaard, circa 1960s. Very detailed construction and exquisite finish with a eight gorgeous Bodi...
Ceramic, Rosewood
$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
Vintage Marquetry Wood Cigar Humidor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exceptional vintage cigar humidor from the renowned Casa Diamante Negro in Rio de Janeiro is a celebration of master-level Brazilian craftsmanship. The lid features an intricate...
Mahogany, Satinwood, Walnut
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
$810
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