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.
Charcuterie Platter in Hardwood by Jean Gillon, c. 1960s
By Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
Handcrafted from rosewood (also known as Jacaranda), this charcuterie platter features clean lines with elegant curves. The rosewood has two rich tones with stunning natural wood gra...
Hardwood
Jean Gillon. Rectangular tray, model 321, c. 1960
By Jean Gillon, Italma Wood Art
Located in PARIS, FR
This rectangular top in solid wood, measuring 29 x 16.5 cm, was created by Jean Gillon. The tray bears the WoodArt label with the mention "1/321". The choice of solid wood emphasises...
Hardwood
$900
H 1.34 in W 14.97 in D 9.06 in
Don S. Shoemaker Mexican MCM Parquetery Hardwood Rectangular Cheveron Tray
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, MX
A classic 1970's Mexican hardwood parquetery serving tray by American designer Don S. Shoemaker. The rectangular tray's parquetery is composed by a chevron pattern. Don S. Shoemaker...
Hardwood
Carl Auböck Model #3431 'Knopferl' Brass Tray
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #3431 'Knopferl' Brass Tray Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese tray is executed in patinated and p...
Brass
Vintage Italian Florentine Gilt Wood Yellow Gold Rectangular Tray
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming wooden Florentine tray from the 1960’s. These highly collectable pieces are both form and function. These look wonderful sitting alone or in groupings on a coffee table. Fun...
Wood, Giltwood
Antique English Sheffield Silver-Plate Rectangular Serving Tray
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Sheffield silver-plate rectangular serving tray.
Sheffield Plate
Large Majolica Ceramic Fish Platter by Secla, 1960
By Secla
Located in Barcelona, ES
A glazed ceramic large fish platter in brown and toffee colors manufactured by Secla ceramics factory. Portugal, 1960s. A very interesting piece du...
Majolica, Ceramic
$744Sale Price|40% Off
H 2.37 in Dm 12.6 in
Mid-Century Decorative Platter by Albert Thiry 'circa 1960s'
By Albert Thiry
Located in London, GB
Mid-century decorative platter (circa 1960s) by Albert Thiry. A milky-white glaze graces both the exterior and the hollow centre. The interior has small tracts of green and earthy cl...
Ceramic
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
Solid Italian Brass 1970s Rectangular Tray with Bamboo Frame
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Solid Italian Brass 1970s Rectangular Tray with Bamboo Frame
Brass
$41,647
H 1.58 in W 22.05 in D 16.93 in
Unique Stoneware Platter by Birger Kaipiainen for Arabia, Finland, 1960s
By Birger Kaipiainen, Arabia
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Striking unique stoneware platter by Birger Kaipiainen. Beautiful composition with silvery apples on a white background, as well as black currant berries and blue grapes in relief. ...
Ceramic
1970s Piggy Party Platter Serving Tray Charcuterie
By Dansk
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Modern PIG Pupu Party Platter Serving Tray Charcuterie Board Unmarked Approximately 31 w x 10 d x 1.5 tall Whimsical vintage modern piece Preowned original unrestored vintage c...
Wood
Danish Organic Teak Platter, Denmark 1960s
Located in Utrecht, NL
Danish mid-century furniture design, flourishing from the 1940s to the 1960s, is celebrated for its minimalist elegance, exceptional craftsmanship, and emphasis on functionality. Cha...
Teak
Rectangular silver tray/cake dish
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Rectangular silver tray/cake dish with two fixed cut-out handles and pearly frieze. Metal: Silver. Origin: French. Brand: Tête Minerve. Weight: 377.58 grams. Dimensions:...
Silver
Decorative Tray in Hardwood by Jean Gillon, 1960s
By Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
This Brazilian mid century modern decorative tray was designed by Jean Gillon for WoodArt and made in Brazil in the sixties. Handcrafted from hard rosewood (also known as jacaranda), the tray is in the shape of a leaf and has clean lines with elegant curves. The rosewood has a deep, dark, rich tone with stunning natural wood grain. Also, the wood has been refinished and the manufacturing seal is at the bottom of the tray. 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...
Wood
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H 2 in W 18.5 in D 5.9 in
Midcentury Brazilian Modern Serving Board in Hardwood, Jean Gillon, 1965, Brazil
By Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
Available today, this Midcentury Brazilian Modern Rosewood decorative Serving Tray was designed by Jean Gillon for WoodArt and made in Brazil circa 1960. Handcrafted from hard Rosewood (known as Jacaranda), the serving board features clean lines with elegant curves. The rosewood has a deep, dark, rich tone with stunning natural wood grain. Size: H2, W18.5, D5.9 (in) H5, W47, D15 (in) Attached publications featuring the same piece. Jean Gillon was a Brazilian furniture designer...
Hardwood
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H 1.6 in W 24 in D 7.1 in
Midcentury Brazilian Modern Platter in Hardwood by Jean Gillon, 1960, Brazil
By Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
Available today, this midcentury Brazilian modern rosewood decorative platter was designed by Jean Gillon for WoodArt and made in Brazil circa 1960. Handcrafted from hard Rosewood (known as Jacaranda), this platter features clean lines with a unique rectangular shape and gentle, elegant curves. The rosewood is a deep, dark, rich tone with stunning natural wood grain. Size: H1.6, W24, D7.1 (in) H4, W61, D18 (cm) The same platter is featured in Jean Gillon’s book in page 125 Jean Gillon was a Brazilian furniture designer...
Hardwood
Sold
H 0.75 in W 18.5 in D 5.5 in
Vintage Midcentury Decorative Tray in Rosewood by Jean Gillon, 1960s
By wood art, Jean Gillon
Located in Detroit, MI
This midcentury Brazilian modern rosewood decorative tray was designed by Jean Gillon for WoodArt and made in Brazil circa 1960. Impeccably handcrafted from hard Jacaranda rosewood native to Brazil, a signature material of Gillon design, this tray features clean, Minimalist lines with a unique rectangular shape and gentle, elegant curves. The rosewood is a deep, dark, rich tone with stunning natural wood grain. Original label on underside. Jean Gillon was a Brazilian furniture designer born in Romania in 1919 and emigrating to São Paulo, Brazil in 1956. Gillon's firm designed many luxury hotels, commercial spaces and residential homes throughout Brazil and was also known for his one-of-a-kind tapestries. His second furniture company, WoodArt, produced full lines of Brazilian rosewood furniture...
Rosewood
Jean Gillon Jacarand Wood Assorted Table Ware
By Jean Gillon
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Several very nice Jacarand Wood pieces, ice bucket, tray and nesting trays. Each in beautiful condition, all with original labels. Each piece priced separtely from 450-950
Wood