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.
Jean Gillon, 2-seater sofa, c. 1970. 77 x 150 x 84 cm
By Probel, Jean Gillon
Located in PARIS, FR
Jean Gillon Two-Seater Sofa, c. 1970 Label: Probel This two-seater sofa by Jean Gillon, created circa 1970 for the manufacturer Probel, reflects the designer’s signature blend of sc...
Upholstery, Hardwood
$2,200
H 29.73 in W 58.67 in D 31.5 in
Mogens Hansen, Mid-Century 2-Seater Sofa, Patinated Black Leather, 1970s
By Stouby Polster Møbelfabrik, Børge Mogensen, Mogens Hansen
Located in Odense, DK
A classic Danish Modern two-seater sofa upholstered in patinated black leather, resting on legs crafted from solid beech. With its clean lines, balanced proportions, and timeless com...
Leather, Beech
$2,200
H 29.53 in W 56.3 in D 32.29 in
Stouby Møbelfabrik, Mid Century 2-Seater Sofa in Brown Leather, 1970s
By Børge Mogensen, Mogens Hansen, Stouby Polster Møbelfabrik
Located in Odense, DK
A classic Danish Modern two-seater sofa upholstered in brown leather, resting on legs made from solid beech. With its clean lines, balanced proportions, and timeless comfort, the pie...
Leather, Beech
Beice 3-Seat Sofa
By Merve Kahraman
Located in Istanbul, TR
Beice is a 3-seat sofa designed to mimic the feeling of sitting on cotton candy clouds. The combination of its powder pink color, arc shaped back rests, round edges and sphere walnut...
Wood
$3,500
H 29.93 in W 81.89 in D 31.5 in
Mogens Hansen, Mid-Century 3-Seater Sofa, Patinated Black Leather, 1970s
By Stouby Polster Møbelfabrik, Børge Mogensen, Mogens Hansen
Located in Odense, DK
A classic Danish Modern three-seater sofa upholstered in patinated black leather, resting on legs crafted from solid beech. With its clean lines, generous proportions, and inviting c...
Leather, Beech
$16,000
H 35.4 in W 86.6 in D 31.5 in
Brazilian Modern Three-Seat Leather Sofa in Rosewood & Leather, Jean Gillon
By Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
A sculptural three-seat sofa designed by Jean Gillon in the 1970s, executed in solid Brazilian rosewood (jacarandá) and black leather—an iconic expression of Brazilian Modernism at i...
Leather, Hardwood
$11,008
H 29.53 in W 96.46 in D 33.47 in
3-Seater Maralunga Sofa in Black Leather by Vico Magistretti for Cassina Italian
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Iconic Mid-Century Modern "Maralunga" 3-seater sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina. This example features opulent black leather. Head / backrests are adjustable for a cheeky look t...
Leather
$7,439
H 29.53 in W 96.46 in D 33.47 in
Maralunga 3-Seat Sofa by Vico Magistretti in Beige Linen, Cassina 1970s Italian
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Iconic Mid-Century Modern "Maralunga" 3-seater sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina. This example features beige linen. Head / backrests are adjustable for a cheeky look that never ...
Linen
$69,000
H 31.25 in W 145 in D 37 in
Vintage American Walnut Six Seater Sloane ii Sofa by Vladimir Kagan Couture
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A custom-made, slightly curved vintage Mid-Century modern American large six or seven seater Sloane II sofa with 4 pillows, settee made of hand crafted polished Walnut, designed and ...
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery, Walnut
Beice 3-Seat Sofa with Yellow Patterned Fabric
By Merve Kahraman
Located in Istanbul, TR
Beice is a 3-seat sofa designed to mimic the feeling of sitting on cotton candy clouds. The combination of its yellow patterned fabric, arc shaped back rests, round edges and sphere ...
Wood
1970s Sofa by Jean Gillon for Probel, completely original.
By Jean Gillon
Located in Victoria, BC
Designed by renowned Brazilian designer Jean Gillon during the 1970s, this rare three-seat sofa is an outstanding example of Brazilian Modern design. Combining sculptural proportions...
Imbuia
Salvadore Sofa in Army (300cm) by Laura Gonzalez
By laura gonzalez
Located in Paris, FR
Made in France with an oak structure, high-density foam, and a feather topper for optimum comfort, the Salvador sofa features a triple armrest, upholstered with a luxurious velvet (L...
Fabric
$3,900
H 25.6 in W 63 in D 27.56 in
Danish Mid Century Two Seater Sofa in Oak, Reupholstered, by Tage Poulsen, 1960s
By Tage Poulsen
Located in Odense, DK
Lovely 2 seater sofa in oak, reupholstered in a vintage fabric stored from the 1980s. Designed by Danish architect Tage Poulsen, model TP632. Designed in 1962. This sofa can be free...
Fabric, Wood, Oak