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
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 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
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
$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
$1,170
H 1.6 in W 17.3 in D 4.3 in
1960s Bottle Holder by Jean Gillon for Italma WoodArt in solid rosewood
By Jean Gillon
Located in Victoria, BC
Designed by Jean Gillon and produced by Italma / WoodArt in Brazil during the 1960s, this sculptural bottle holder reflects the refined balance between utility and organic form that ...
Hardwood
1960s Pipe Stand by Jean Gillon for WoodArt in solid rosewood
By Jean Gillon
Located in Victoria, BC
Designed by Jean Gillon for WoodArt in Brazil during the 1960s, this sculptural pipe stand reflects the same material sensitivity and architectural clarity found throughout Gillon’s ...
Hardwood
$360Sale Price|20% Off
H 2.75 in W 9 in D 6.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Burl Wood and Sterling Silver Cigarette Box, 1960s
By Davidoff 1
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a vintage cigarette box in burl wood and sterling with glass top. Clever design. Dimensions: 9 w x 6.5 d x 2.75 h close...
Sterling Silver
$1,170
H 5.1 in W 17 in D 8.5 in
1960s Sculptural Bowl by Jean Gillon for Italma WoodArt in Brazilian rosewood
By Jean Gillon
Located in Victoria, BC
Designed by Jean Gillon and produced by Italma / WoodArt in Brazil during the 1960s, this sculptural bowl reflects the same material sensitivity and organic formal language found thr...
Hardwood
$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
$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
Aldo Londi Bitossi Ceramic Box, Mid-Century Modern, Italy, 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Aldo Londi Bitossi Ceramic Box, Mid-Century Modern, Italy, 1960s. Small scale Mondrian box decorated with rectangles and lines and glazed in red, yellow, and black. Signed faintly on...
Ceramic, Clay
French Majolica Tobacco Jar Onnaing, Circa 1890
By Onnaing
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica tobacco jar onnaing, Circa 1890. Decorated with a medallion and flowers.
Ceramic, Faience
Malachite Glass Ashtray and Cigarette Holder, 1960s
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century malachite stylized glass ashtray and cigarette box circa 1960s.
Art Glass
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
Mid-Century Modern Onyx Jewelry Box, Made in Italy, 1960s Design
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Gorgeous Box in Onyx. Made in Italy. This box is in excellent condition. Dimensions: 5,31 x 3,74 x 1,96 H inches 13,5 x 9,5 x 5 H cm
Onyx
$4,463
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
19th Century Treenware Walnut Tobacco Jar
Located in High Point, NC
19th century hand turned treen tobacco box made from walnut. The lid is expertly turned and is topped with a finial over a fabulous hand turned base. The walnut is a handsome color...
Walnut