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 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
$1,767
H 26.78 in W 17.72 in D 9.85 in
French Women Bust Sculpture "Marianne" Godess of Liberty in Solid Wood, 1960s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage French bust sculpture of a woman Marianne has been the national personification of the French Republic since the French Revolution, as a personification of liberty, equality, fraternity and reason, and a portrayal of the Goddess of Liberty...
Wood
$3,686
H 35.44 in W 23.63 in D 27.56 in
1960s Leather Kangaroo by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch
By Omersa, Liberty of London, Abercrombie & Fitch, Dimitri Omersa
Located in Beerse, VAN
Look at this beautiful leather kangaroo designed by Dimitri Omersa, made in England in the 1960s and produced for Liberty of London and Abercrombie & Fitch. It is entirely hand-...
Leather
Bulldog Sculpture Figurine in Ceramic by Lisa Larson for Gustavsberg 1960s
By Gustavsberg
Located in Troy, MI
Lisa Larson Gustavsberg Bulldog Sculpture Figurine Ceramic bulldog sculpture from the Large Zoo series Designed by Lisa Larson for Gustavsberg Sweden c. 1960s Labeled to underside ...
Ceramic
$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
$4,685Sale Price|27% Off
H 22.25 in W 9 in D 7.38 in
After Jean Louis Grégoire Spelter Figure "Boy Playing Pipe"
By Jean Louis Grégoire
Located in Los Angeles, CA
After Jean Louis Grégoire (France, 1840-1890) A Charming French 19th-20th Century Patinated Spelter Figure of "The Animal Charmer", depicting a sta...
Marble, Spelter
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
$1,720
H 8.86 in W 7.68 in D 7.68 in
Large Solid Glass Pyramid by Pompeo Pianezzola for Appiani, Italy, 1960s
By Appiani, Pompeo Pianezzola
Located in Milan, IT
Massive glass pyramid by Pompeo Pianezzola for Appiani Selezione.
Glass
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
Mid-Century Modern Solid Brass Bulldog Sculpture, 1960s, Germany
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Mid-Century Modern Solid Brass Bulldog Sculpture, 1960s, Germany It is very ideal and suitable for all living areas. No damage, no crack. Wear consistent with age and use. Measure...
Brass
$930 / set
H 3.94 in W 3.35 in D 3.15 in
Swedish glass book stands by Erik Höglund Boda, Sweden, 1960s
By Boda, Erik Höglund
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Beautiful sculptural book stands designed by Erik Höglund. Produced by Swedish company Boda suring the 1960s. Made in frosted glass. Signed on bottom.
Glass
$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