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 Charcuterie Platter in Rosewood, Jean Gillon, 1960Ss
By Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Jean Gillon and produced in Brazil during the 1960s, this sculptural charcuterie platter is handcrafted from solid jacarandá rosewood. Its elongated serving surface flows...
Rosewood
Jean Gillon Rectangular Tray Model 321, Mid-Century Modern, 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
Mid-Century Modern Don Shoemaker Señal Service Tray Exotic Wood
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a mid-century modern Don S Shoemaker Señal service tray exotic woods. Mexico circa the 1980s. Geometric parquetry. Stamp present. Dimensions: 1.25" D x 15" L...
Wood
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
Mid-Century Wooden Tray, Brown Wood, Sweden, Modern Design, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Wooden Tray, Sweden, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Wood Color: Brown Styles: Mid-Century Modern Country of Or...
Wood
$713Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 1.38 in W 4.73 in D 11.42 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modern French Ceramic Decorative Trays Albert Thiry, 1960s
By Albert Thiry
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
Pair of Mid-Century Modern French Ceramic decorative trays Albert Thiry, 1960s Very nice set of two decorative ceramic trays decorated with red flowers. The chalk white enamel is of very good quality. It brings out the motifs engraved by the artist. The price is for the two potteries together. Do not hesitate to contact me if you want only one of the two pieces. Circa 1960-1970. In very good condition. 3.5cmx12cmx29xm 3cmx11cmx29xm ----------- Albert Thiry (1923-2009) Ceramist from Nice, he studied at the School of Decorative Arts in the city. He settled with his wife Pyot Gavaudan in 1943 in the pottery village of Vallauris. There he continued his training as a ceramist in various workshops, notably that of Charles Voltz (1923-1997). In 1956, he joined Claire and René Batigne as a decorator, who had run the Tapis Vert workshop since 1950. There he rubbed shoulders with Marcel Vertès and Anton Prinner...
Enamel
Jacaranda Wood Tray by Lunning Collection, Brazil, circa 1960
By Jean Gillon, Jens Quistgaard
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
$499
H 1.58 in W 4.73 in D 11.62 in
Mid-Century Modern French Ceramic decorative tray byThiry, 1960s - Era Ruelland
By Albert Thiry
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
Mid-Century Modern French ceramic decorative tray by Albert Thiry, 1960s Very nice decorative ceramic tray decorated with thistle. The chalk white enamel is of very good quality. It...
Enamel
$554 / set
H 1.38 in W 7.88 in D 13 in
New Modern Serving Platter with Bowls in Marble creator Ivan Colominas
By Ivan Colominas
Located in Milan, IT
Let us cut off the ordinary: a board is not necessarily just a serving platter. It is an individual way of serving cheeses, meats, vegetables or bread. Marble lends itself to the gam...
Marble
$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
Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Bowl in Hardwood, Jean Gillon, 1960s
By Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
This mid-century modern decorative spoon is handcrafted with Brazilian hardwood (also known as jacaranda) and features clean lines with elegant curves. The wood has a deep, dark, and...
Hardwood
Sculptural Kromex Hostess Serving Tray Platter Mid-Century Modern
By Dansk
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a mid-century modern vintage Kromex serving tray platter. stamped Kromex USA. Surface is like a mirror (scuffs pres...
Metal
$695
H 3.5 in W 17.5 in D 17.5 in
19th Century European Rustic Timber Large Trivet / Charcuterie Board
Located in Germantown, MD
19th Century European Rustic Timber Large Trivet / Charcuterie Board hand made in Hungary by Europe2you. Great patina. Measures 17.5" in width, 17.5" in depth and 3.5" in height
Hardwood
$713
H 11.42 in W 19.3 in D 1.19 in
1960s Mid-Century Modern Red and Gold Painted Metal Rectangular Italian Tray
By MB Italy
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A rectangular serving tray designed and manufactured in Italy in the Sixties by MB Italy, it's in perfect condition and labeled on the bottom. The tray is cra...
Metal
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
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H 0.75 in W 18.5 in D 5.5 in
Vintage Midcentury Decorative Tray in Rosewood by Jean Gillon, 1960s
By Jean Gillon, wood art
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