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 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
Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Large Pipe Holder in Hardwood, Jean Gillon, 1960s
By Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Jean Gillon for WoodArt in the 1960s, this pipe holder reflects the sculptural clarity and material sensitivity that define the designer’s contribution to Brazilian moder...
Hardwood
Jens Quistgaard Rosewood Box for Dansk, Denmark, c.1960
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Jens Quistgaard Lidded Rosewood Box for the Dansk Rare Wood Collection, Denmark, c.1960.
Wood
$380
H 1.93 in W 3.93 in D 5.31 in
Astonishing Onyx Jewelry Box, Mid-Century Modern, Made in Italy, 1960s
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Astonishing box in onyx. Made in Italy. This box is amazing and in excellent condition. Dimension: 5,31 x 3,93 x 1,93 H inches 13,5 x 10 x 5 H cm
Onyx
$380
H 1.57 in W 3.93 in D 5.51 in
1960s Mid-Century Modern Onyx Jewelry Box, Made in Italy, Excellent
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Astonishing box in onyx. Made in Italy. This box is amazing and in excellent condition. Dimension: 5,51 x 3,93 x 1,57 H inches 14 x 10 x 4 H cm
Onyx
$340
H 1.57 in W 5.31 in D 3.74 in
1960s Mid-Century Modern Onyx Jewelry Box, Made in Italy, Excellent
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Gorgeous Box in Onyx. Made in Italy. This box is in excellent condition. Dimension: 5,31 x 3,74 x 1,57 H inches 13,5 x 9,5 x 4 H cm
Onyx
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Tobacco Jar
Located in High Point, NC
This handsome 1960s French mid-century modern tobacco jar reflects the era’s emphasis on functional design paired with refined craftsmanship. Expertly turned from richly toned wood, ...
Wood
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
1960s Wood and Metal Italian Jewelry Box by Galbiati Milano
By Galbiati Fratelli
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A wooden and enameled metal box designed and manufactured in Italy by Galbiati in the Sixties. The red box it's decorated with jewels . It's in good condition overall and marked on t...
Metal
$226Sale Price|20% Off
H 4.34 in Dm 3.78 in
Turned Wood Hardwood Lidded Box Chess Figurine Style Mid Century Modern c 1960s
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A lovely small turned hardwood lidded box with a chess style shaped finial, made in Europe probably in the 1960s.
Wood, Hardwood
1960s Studio Art Walnut Wood Box Slide Open
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Studio Art Walnut Wood Box Slide Open No label. George Nakashima inspired. Clean Modern Design 3.75 h x 11.5 w x 5.5 d Walnut wood Double dove tail joints Preowned original v...
Walnut
Longchamp Leather Pipe Cigarette Dispenser, 1960s France
By Longchamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare mid-century cigarette holder in the whimsical form of a smoking pipe. Crafted with a rich brown leather wrapped body, glossy black handle, and a warm brass lid that lifts to ...
Brass
$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
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
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