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Jean Gillon Chairs

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 Jangada Lounge Chair & Ottoman in Jacaranda & Leather, Brazil, 1960s
Jean Gillon Jangada Lounge Chair & Ottoman in Jacaranda & Leather, Brazil, 1960s

Jean Gillon Jangada Lounge Chair & Ottoman in Jacaranda & Leather, Brazil, 1960s

By Jean Gillon

Located in Deland, FL

Named the "Jangada" chair, after the small rustic fishing boats used by fishermen along the northern coast of Brazil, this chair and ottoman set designed by the iconic Jean Gillon is...

Category

1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Chairs

Materials

Jacaranda

1960s Jangada Chair and Ottoman by Jean Gillon
1960s Jangada Chair and Ottoman by Jean Gillon

1960s Jangada Chair and Ottoman by Jean Gillon

By Jean Gillon

Located in Victoria, BC

A profoundly authentic expression of Brazilian modernism, this 1960s Jangada lounge chair and ottoman by Jean Gillon embodies the relaxed sophistication and material honesty that def...

Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Chairs

Materials

Rosewood

1960s Jangada Chair and Ottoman by Jean Gillon
1960s Jangada Chair and Ottoman by Jean Gillon

1960s Jangada Chair and Ottoman by Jean Gillon

By Jean Gillon

Located in Victoria, BC

Jangada lounge chair and ottoman by Jean Gillon is a masterclass in material honesty and relaxed luxury. Dripping with authenticity, the sculptural frame is crafted from old-growth B...

Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Chairs

Materials

Rosewood

Pair of 1960s “Saci” Armchairs by Jean Gillon for WoodArt in Solid Jacaranda
Pair of 1960s “Saci” Armchairs by Jean Gillon for WoodArt in Solid Jacaranda

Pair of 1960s “Saci” Armchairs by Jean Gillon for WoodArt in Solid Jacaranda

By Jean Gillon

Located in Victoria, BC

Offered here is a rare matched pair of “Saci” armchairs by Jean Gillon for WoodArt—an iconic expression of 1960s Brazilian modernism and a sculptural triumph in solid Jacaranda (Braz...

Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Chairs

Materials

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Jean Gillon Mid Century Desk Chair
Jean Gillon Mid Century Desk Chair

Jean Gillon Mid Century Desk Chair

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Jean Gillon mid century desk chair The chair measures: 23 wide x 26.25 deep x 35 high, with a seat height of 22.25 inches and arm he...

Category

1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Chairs

Materials

Chrome

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Jangada Chair and Ottoman by Jean Gillon, 1960

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Jean Gillon chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Jean Gillon chairs 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 chairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original chairs 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 chairs by Jorge Zalszupin, Giuseppe Scapinelli, and Carlo Hauner. Prices for Jean Gillon chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $950 and can go as high as $22,950, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $9,848.