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 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
H 2.37 in Dm 15.75 in
Gianfranco Frattini, Red Centerpiece / Tray, Progetti Italy, 1970s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Progetti
Located in Firenze, IT
Red enamelled aluminium stackable tray / centerpiece designed by Gianfranco Frattini Manufactured by Progetti, Italy, 1970s. Manufacturer's label on the base Measures: Height 6 cm...
Aluminum
H 1.38 in W 13.78 in D 3.94 in
Osborne Bowl by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Osborne bowl by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 35 cm D 10 cm H 3.5 cm. Materials: polished bronze Also available in black/brown bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on pro...
Bronze
H 3.75 in W 16.34 in D 6.3 in
O'Connor Bowl by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
O'Connor bowl by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 41.5 cm D 16 cm H 9.5 cm. Materials: dark bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on pro...
Bronze
H 1.38 in W 5 in D 18.25 in
Jacaranda Wood Tray by Lunning Collection, Brazil, circa 1960
By Jens Quistgaard, Jean Gillon
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Jacaranda Wood Tray Lunning Collection Brazil, circa 1960 In the style of Jean Gillon, Brazil In the style of Jens Quistgaard, Denmark "in good vintage condition" "oiled with food...
Hardwood
H 0.8 in W 19 in D 9.4 in
Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Tray in Hardwood, Jean Gillon, 1960s
By Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
Handcrafted in Brazil in the 1960s, this elongated serving tray reflects the disciplined minimalism that characterized the country’s modern design movement during its period of inter...
Hardwood
H 3.75 in Dm 14.5 in
Brazilian Architectural Bowl Slatted Centerpiece Mid-Century like Oscar Niemeyer
By Joaquim Tenreiro, Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Made in Brazil, a hand-crafted footed centerpiece sculpture, truly an mid-century masterpiece. A fragile, brass belted, curved Jacaranda (Brazilian Rosewood) slat design. A rare find...
Jacaranda
H 1 in W 18 in D 8 in
Brazilian Modern Serving Tray in Jacraanda, by Jean Gillon for WoodArt, Brazil
By Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Jean Gillon for WoodArt and produced in Brazil during the 1960s, this serving tray exemplifies the designer’s ability to reconcile sculptural restraint with material rich...
Hardwood
H 5.6 in W 29 in D 15.3 in
Modern Italian Art Deco Design Green Black White Smoked Art Glass Mosaic Bowl
By Cosulich Interiors & Antiques, Vévé Glass, Paolo Birello
Located in New York, NY
Bring modernism with an unexpected twist to your decor! A true work of art, contemporary Murano glass centerpiece, a creation signed by Paolo Birello, the shape surprisingly perforat...
Art Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine
H 1.58 in W 13.78 in D 5.71 in
Model 109 Tray by Jean Gillon, Solid Wood, Elegant Design, Circa 1960
By Italma Wood Art, Jean Gillon
Located in PARIS, FR
Jean Gillon Model 109. circa 1960 Wearing the Wood Art label Material: Solid wood Dimensions: 35 x 14.5 x 4 cm This exceptional tray, created by Jean Gillon around 1960, is distingu...
Hardwood
H 5.5 in W 29.1 in D 15.3 in
Modern Italian Art Deco Design Gold Amethyst Cream Murano Art Glass Mosaic Bowl
By Paolo Birello, Cosulich Interiors & Antiques, Vévé Glass
Located in New York, NY
A true work of art, contemporary Murano glass centerpiece, a jewel-like creation, signed by Paolo Birello, the shape recalls the sail of a boat, because inspired by the Venice enviro...
Gold Leaf
H 5.6 in W 25.6 in D 17.2 in
Antique Big Tirolean Hand-Carved Chestnut Wood Basin Bowl Nice for Centrepiece
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Antique big Tirolean hand-carved chestnut wood basin bowl nice for centrepiece. Measure in cm: H 14 x W 64 x D 43.
Chestnut
Jean Gillon Large Serving Spoon for Italma Wood Art, 1960s
By Jean Gillon, Italma Wood Art
Located in PARIS, FR
Spoon designed by Jean Gillon and produced by Italma/WoodArt, dating from the 1960s. Made of solid wood, this spoon is distinguished by its original geometric shape and carefully wor...
Hardwood
H 0.8 in W 7.9 in D 21.7 in
Midcentury Brazilian Modern Serving Platter in Hardwood by Jean Gillon, 1960s
By Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
Available today, this Midcentury Brazilian Modern Rosewood Decorative serving platter was designed by Jean Gillon for WoodArt and made in Brazil circa 1960. Handcrafted from hard Rosewood (known as Jacaranda), the serving platter features clean lines with elegant curves and two carved handles on each side. The rosewood has two rich tones with stunning natural wood grain on both sides. Size: H0.8, W21.7, D7.9 (in) H2, W55, D20 (cm) Pieces like this, with a minimalist, almost brutalist aesthetic are iconic from Brazil in the sixties, and where catered not only for domestic but for the international markets. This platter will look awesome as a centerpiece on a table or sideboard, or even better, be part of a collection dedicated to Brazilian Modernism decorative objects...
Hardwood, Wood