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Jean Gillon Armchairs

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.

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Creator: Jean Gillon
Jean Gillon Paddle Arm Chairs Cognac Leather For Probel, 1960
Jean Gillon Paddle Arm Chairs Cognac Leather For Probel, 1960

Jean Gillon Paddle Arm Chairs Cognac Leather For Probel, 1960

By Probel, Jean Gillon

Located in Vienna, AT

Paddel pair of arm-chairs by Jean Gillon for Probel, in cognac leather and wood Beautiful and comfortable chairs in great condition with hardly any wear. We have a matching sofa (3 ...

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1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Rare pair of Jean Gillon "Rodeio" Easy Chairs, Brazil, 1960s
Rare pair of Jean Gillon "Rodeio" Easy Chairs, Brazil, 1960s

Rare pair of Jean Gillon "Rodeio" Easy Chairs, Brazil, 1960s

By Jean Gillon

Located in Stockholm, SE

Produced in the 1960s by Wood Art Brazil.   Jean Gillon (1919–2007) was born in Lasi, Romania. In 1956, already possessing a consistent portfolio, he moved to São Paulo, where he dev...

Category

1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Armchairs

Materials

Leather

Jean Gillon "Rodeio" Easy Chair, Brazil, 1960s
Jean Gillon "Rodeio" Easy Chair, Brazil, 1960s

Jean Gillon "Rodeio" Easy Chair, Brazil, 1960s

By Jean Gillon

Located in Stockholm, SE

Produced in the 1960s by Wood Art Brazil.   Jean Gillon (1919–2007) was born in Lasi, Romania. In 1956, already possessing a consistent portfolio, he moved to São Paulo, where he dev...

Category

1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Armchairs

Materials

Leather

Brazilian Jangada Rosewood & Leather Sling Chair with Ottoman by Jean Gillon
Brazilian Jangada Rosewood & Leather Sling Chair with Ottoman by Jean Gillon

Brazilian Jangada Rosewood & Leather Sling Chair with Ottoman by Jean Gillon

By Jean Gillon, Sergio Rodrigues, Percival Lafer

Located in Chattanooga, TN

Anchored in the bold horizons of 1960s Brazilian modernism, the Jangada lounge chair and ottoman by Jean Gillon stands as a testament to artful craftsmanship, organic structure, and ...

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1960s Brazilian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Armchairs

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“Jangada” Lounge Chair with Ottoman in Hardwood & Leather, Jean Gillon, 1970s
“Jangada” Lounge Chair with Ottoman in Hardwood & Leather, Jean Gillon, 1970s

“Jangada” Lounge Chair with Ottoman in Hardwood & Leather, Jean Gillon, 1970s

By Jean Gillon

Located in New York, NY

Few works encapsulate the spirit of Brazilian Modernism as powerfully as the Jangada. Designed in the 1970s by Jean Gillon, this iconic lounge chair takes its name from the handcraft...

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Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Jean Gillon Armchairs

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Armchair by Jean Gillon, Mid-Century Modern Brazilian, 1970s
Armchair by Jean Gillon, Mid-Century Modern Brazilian, 1970s

Armchair by Jean Gillon, Mid-Century Modern Brazilian, 1970s

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Located in West Hollywood, CA

A hallmark of Jean Gillon’s sensual and humanistic design philosophy, this 1970s armchair exemplifies his masterful fusion of structure and comfort. The sculptural jacarandá frame, w...

Category

1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Armchairs

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RESTORED 1960 JEAN GILLON BROWN LEATHER BRAZILIAN HARDWOOD ARMCHAiR & OTTOMAN
RESTORED 1960 JEAN GILLON BROWN LEATHER BRAZILIAN HARDWOOD ARMCHAiR & OTTOMAN

RESTORED 1960 JEAN GILLON BROWN LEATHER BRAZILIAN HARDWOOD ARMCHAiR & OTTOMAN

By Jean Gillon

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale extremely rare and important, original, fully restored, Brazilian Rosewood, Chrome and Hand Dyed Cigar Brown...

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1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Mid Century Modern Armchair and Ottoman "Rodeio" by Jean Gillon, Brazil 1960s
Mid Century Modern Armchair and Ottoman "Rodeio" by Jean Gillon, Brazil 1960s

Mid Century Modern Armchair and Ottoman "Rodeio" by Jean Gillon, Brazil 1960s

By Jean Gillon

Located in Beograd, RS

In this listing you will find a breathtaking Mid Century Modern "Rodeio" Armchair with an ottoman, designed by Jean Gillion for Italma. It features a black lacquer wood frame with gr...

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1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

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Early 20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Jean Gillon Armchairs

Materials

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Copa Lounge Chair, by Jean Gillon, Brazilian Midcentury Modern Design
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Rodeio Armchair, by Jean Gillon in Hardwood. Brazilian Midcentury Modern

Rodeio Armchair, by Jean Gillon in Hardwood. Brazilian Midcentury Modern

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Located in Sao Paulo, SP

The Rodeio armchair is an iconic piece that perfectly represents the main characteristics of Brazilian design as a school. It is one of the most outstanding creations of Jean Gillon,...

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Amazonas Lounge Chair, Solid Jacaranda Rosewood, Brazilian Midcentury

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The Amazonas armchair, created by designer Jean Gillon in the 1960s, is undoubtedly one of the great representatives of the Brazilian design. The handcrafted weave structure (as like...

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Jean Gillon armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Jean Gillon armchairs 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 armchairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original armchairs by Jean Gillon were created in the mid-century modern style in south america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider armchairs by Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil, and L'Atelier San Paulo. Prices for Jean Gillon armchairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,873 and can go as high as $42,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $17,213.