Jean Gillon Ashtrays

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.

Creator: Jean Gillon

Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Pipe Holder in Hardwood by Jean Gillon, Brazil

$750

Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Pipe Holder in Hardwood by Jean Gillon, Brazil

By Jean Gillon

Located in New York, NY

Available today, this Brazilian modern pipe holder, designed by WoodArt, is gorgeous. Handcrafted with Brazilian rosewood (also known as jacaranda), this large pipe holder has beautiful patterns and textures. It has a deep, dark, and rich tone with a stunning natural wood grain. In addition, the manufacturing seal is at the bottom of the pipe holder. This piece would be a perfect addition to an office or any living space as a decorative object! 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. His second furniture company, WoodArt, produced full lines of Brazilian rosewood furniture...

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Jean Gillon Ashtrays

Materials

Wood

Italian Cigar Ashtray by Bitossi, Pottery, Mid-Century Modern, 1965

$80

H 1.5 in Dm 8 in

Italian Cigar Ashtray by Bitossi, Pottery, Mid-Century Modern, 1965

By Bitossi

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Cigar Ashtray attributed to Bitossi marked Italy on the bottom, circa 1965 great color, glaze and patina some loss of glaze through out which just more Bohemiam character

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Ashtrays

Materials

Pottery

Mid-century Pink "Little John" Toilet Ashtray Cigarette Holder by Artmark, Japan

Sold|~~$99~~

H 4.5 in W 2.5 in D 4 in

Mid-century Pink "Little John" Toilet Ashtray Cigarette Holder by Artmark, Japan

Located in Van Nuys, CA

1950s Ceramic "Little John" Toilet Ashtray Cigarette Holder by Artmark featuring a pink finish with gold-tone accents. A playful piece adding a little bit of humor with some mid-cent...

Category

1950s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Ashtrays

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century Modern Hexagonal Brass Tray

$250

H 1 in W 7.75 in D 7.75 in

Mid-Century Modern Hexagonal Brass Tray

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Condition: Original Vintage Condition This Mid-Century Modern hexagonal brass tray showcases a striking geometric silhouette paired with a naturally aged patina that only decades of...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Ashtrays

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Ashtray by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria, 1948

$350

H 2 in W 2.38 in D 4.25 in

Mid-Century Modern Ashtray by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria, 1948

By Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Carl Auböck II Model 3597 Ashtray, Austria, circa 1948 patinated brass stamped on the bottom great orignal patina - untouched very small flat area at lip of ledge also works very ...

Category

1940s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Ashtrays

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Modern Murano Glass Ashtray in pink Glass Italy 1960s

$1,074

H 2.76 in Dm 6.7 in

Mid Century Modern Murano Glass Ashtray in pink Glass Italy 1960s

By Murano Glass Sommerso

Located in Palermo, PA

This vintage Murano ashtray is a rare find for collectors and lovers of Italian glass. Hand blown from thick transparent pink glass, it has the shape of a four leaf clover that symbo...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Jean Gillon Ashtrays

Materials

Murano Glass

1960s Mid-Century Modern Bullicante Murano Glass Ashtray by Barovier

$717

H 2.96 in Dm 5.91 in

1960s Mid-Century Modern Bullicante Murano Glass Ashtray by Barovier

By Barovier

Located in Aci Castello, IT

A clear and gold murano glass ashtray with his pestle designed and manufactured in Italy by Barovier in the Sixties, it's in very good condition. This Murano Glass Ashtray by Barovie...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Jean Gillon Ashtrays

Materials

Murano Glass

Italian Mid-Century Modern Murano Glass Oval Object Holder in Blue, 1970s

$296Sale Price|20% Off

H 2.37 in W 5.12 in D 6.7 in

Italian Mid-Century Modern Murano Glass Oval Object Holder in Blue, 1970s

Located in MIlano, IT

Italian Mid-Century Modern Murano glass oval object holder in blue, 1970s Oval object holder in Murano glass, polychrome, transparent at the base and blue on the edges. It is in ver...

Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Ashtrays

Materials

Glass

Mid-Century Modern Ashtray

$90

H 0.79 in W 7.68 in D 12.6 in

Mid-Century Modern Ashtray

Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon

Mid-Century Modern ashtray, It has some chips, for more photos or video upon request

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Ashtrays

Materials

Ceramic

Fontana Arte Mid-Century Modern 1950s Glass Pen Holder Stand & Ashtray Desk Set

$1,800 / set

H 0.79 in W 9.53 in D 6.62 in

Fontana Arte Mid-Century Modern 1950s Glass Pen Holder Stand & Ashtray Desk Set

By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte

Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern

Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte (attributed) Midcentury Modern desk set featuring a pen holder or stand with a tray and an ashtray. Made in Ita...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Jean Gillon Ashtrays

Materials

Metal

Adnet Style Leather Estate Pipe Stand Holder Vintage

$220

H 2.5 in W 4.25 in D 3.13 in

Adnet Style Leather Estate Pipe Stand Holder Vintage

By Jacques Adnet

Located in Nuernberg, DE

Leather and metal in the style of Jacques Adnet. Great tabletop or pipe smoker object. Great vintage condition. Nice addition to any collection.

Category

1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Ashtrays

Materials

Leather

Brazilian Jacaranda Wood Tray Designed by Jean Gillon for Wood Art

$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 ...

Category

1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Ashtrays

Materials

Jacaranda

Mid-Century Modern Table Lighter by Paolo Traversi, Murano Glass

$384Sale Price|20% Off

H 4.72 in W 3.93 in D 3.93 in

Mid-Century Modern Table Lighter by Paolo Traversi, Murano Glass

By Paolo Traversi

Located in Milano, IT

1960s Stunning Blue and Yellow Table Lighter in Murano Sommerso Glass By Flavio Poli for Seguso. Made in italy The item is in excellent condition and it works perfectly Dimension: 2,...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Ashtrays

Materials

Murano Glass

Previously Available Items

1960s Brazilian Modern Pipe Holder in Rosewood by Jean Gillon

Sold

H 4.9 in W 4.5 in D 4.7 in

1960s Brazilian Modern Pipe Holder in Rosewood by Jean Gillon

By Jean Gillon

Located in New York, NY

Available today, this Brazilian mid-century modern pipe holder was designed by Jean Gillon for WoodArt and made in Brazil in the 1960’s. Handcrafted from hard rosewood (also known as jacaranda), the pipe holder features clean lines with elegant curves. The rosewood is a deep, dark, and rich tone with stunning natural wood grain. 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...

Category

1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Ashtrays

Materials

Wood

Jean Gillon ashtrays for sale on 1stDibs.

Jean Gillon ashtrays are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Jean Gillon ashtrays, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original ashtrays by Jean Gillon were created in the mid-century modern style in south america during the mid-20th century. Prices for Jean Gillon ashtrays can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $230 and can go as high as $1,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,000.