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 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
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
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
Decorative Spoon in Hardwood by Jean Gillon, c. 1960s
By Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
This decorative spoon is entirely made in Brazilian Rosewood, known as Jacaranda. The wood has been refinished and is in excellent condition. Additional information: Materials and T...
Jacaranda, Hardwood
Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Charcuterie Platter in Rosewood, Jean Gillon, 1960s
By Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
Attributed to a Brazilian workshop, circa 1960s, this rosewood (jacarandá) serving platter reflects the restrained material focus that defined much of Brazil’s export-era design. Dur...
Hardwood
Jean Gillon. Large Spoon to serve, model 818, c. 1960
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
Jean Gillon. Triangular spoon with details, c. 1960
By Jean Gillon, Italma Wood Art
Located in PARIS, FR
Triangular 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 ca...
Hardwood
Mid-Century modern Rosewood and Bakelite Salad Servers
Located in Charleston, SC
This stunning vintage Danish modern style serving set has gorgeous rosewood handles and equally as stunning Bakelite. I love how the 2 pieces vary in color but are meant to be togeth...
Bakelite, Rosewood
New Modern Serving Tray in Marble Creator Matteo Cibic
By Matteo Cibic
Located in Milan, IT
Serving tray in black Marquinia, red Levanto and white Michelangelo marble. Size: 40 x 19 x 4 cm, 15.7 x 7.5 x 1.6 in, smooth finishing. Commercial name: Romeo, Homage Collection by...
Marble
Vintage Taverneau by Arthur Umanoff Serving Tray 1960s
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Offered is a 1960s Taverneau wood oblong tray platter designed by Arthur Umanoff for Raymor via his studio, Pantalcraft, made in Haiti. From his biography "All of Umanoff’s designs ...
Rattan, Wood
American Modern Handcrafted Wood Marquetry Serving Tray, 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Postmodern handcrafted American wood marquetry serving tray with chrome accent bars circa 1980s.
Chrome
$1,187 / item
H 1.19 in W 16.54 in D 11.82 in
Omini Serving Tray Designed by Stefano Giovannoni for Ghidini, 1961
By Stefano Giovannoni, Ghidini 1961
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Serving tray in stainless steel finished in polished brass designed by Stefano Giovannoni.
Stainless Steel
Mid-Century Italian Serving Tray Made by MB
By MB Italy
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Stylish serving tray made in Italy by MB, aluminium and formica. The sides have been metal worked and decorated. The formica tray has a gorgeous "faux" rosewood effect. On the bott...
Aluminum
$1,650 / item
H 2 in W 28 in D 15.75 in
Serving Tray in Bronzed Lucite and Brass by Charles Hollis Jones
By Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Lucite and nickel serving tray designed and manufactured by Charles Hollis Jones. The tray is part of the ball collection that was originally created for Lucille ball and th...
Brass
Cipolla Pewter Large Crab Caviar Dish and Spoon
By Cipolla
Located in Water Mill, NY
Vintage by Cipolla Pewter 14.5" heavy crab caviar serving dish and spoon. Handmade in Italy by artisans and no longer made. Food safe.
Pewter
$156Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.75 in W 17 in D 14.75 in
Vintage Mid Century Kyes Moire’ Glaze Brass and Enamel Green Tray 1960s
By Kyes Company
Located in San Diego, CA
A piece of Southern California glamorous history, this vintage handmade Moire Glaze Kyes tray is composed of hammered metal with an enamel finish and double ...
Brass, Enamel
$180Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.75 in W 15.5 in D 9 in
Vintage Mid Century Kyes Moire’ Glaze Brass and Enamel Green Tray 1960s
By Kyes Company
Located in San Diego, CA
A piece of Southern California glamorous history, this vintage handmade Moire Glaze Kyes tray is composed of hammered metal with an enamel finish and double ...
Brass, Enamel
$739
H 7.49 in W 1.19 in D 1.58 in
Silver Serving Spoon Antique Pair of Decorative Sterling Silver Gilded Spoon
Located in Wembley, GB
Pair of Antique Sterling Silver Serving Spoons Gilded & Ornate Handles A distinguished pair of antique sterling silver serving spoons, exquisitely crafted and richly detailed in the ...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Rare Wenge Wood Serving Tray Made in Denmark
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in New York, NY
Dansk exotic teak and wenge wood round serving tray with beautiful counterbalanced design, by renowned Danish designer, Jens Quistgaard. Engraved hallmark on bottom of tray. Denmark
Teak, Wenge
Sold
H 1.2 in W 24 in D 8.3 in
Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Serving Platter in Rosewood, by Jean Gillon
By Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
Available today, this Brazilian mid-century modern serving platter designed by Jean Gillon is absolutely incredible. This piece is made with rosewood (also known as Jacaranda hardwood). This large serving platter is in the shape of a leaf, which gives it a super unique design. The unique style makes it a perfect fit for any type of environment! 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...
Wood
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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
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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 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 Midcentury Brazilian Jacaranda Tray
By Jean Gillon
Located in Astoria, NY
Jean Gillon Mid-Century Modern serving tray in carved Brazilian Jacaranda wood, circa 1960s. Original makers label on the back. In great vintage condi...
Jacaranda
Jean Gillon Jacaranda Tray
By Jean Gillon, Italma
Located in New York, NY
Long double-handled tray hand-carved of nicely figured Jacaranda wood. By Romanian-born Brazilian designer Jean Gillon, produced by his company Italma Wood Art, circa 1960s. Retains ...
Jacaranda