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.
Rare set of 10 Jean Gillon dining chairs, Brazil, 1960s
By Jean Gillon
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare set of 10 dining room chairs in original black leather by Jean Gillon, Brazil, 1960s. Matching dining room table available.
Leather
$28,615 / set
Jean Gillon Déc chairs Italma Woodart Brazil 1968
By Jean Gillon
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
These four 'Déc' arm chairs, designed by the visionary Jean Gillon and meticulously crafted by Italma Woodart in Brazil in 1968, stand as rare treasures of mid-century design. This h...
Leather, Rosewood
Rare Jean Gillon Dining Table, Brazil, 1960s
By Jean Gillon
Located in Stockholm, SE
A striking example of Brazilian modernism, this large dining table / conference table was designed by Jean Gillon in the 1960s. Bold yet refined, it reflects the sculptural elegance ...
Leather, Rosewood
$10,940 / set
H 29.53 in W 23.63 in D 20.48 in
1960s Very Rare Erik Kierkegaard Teak Dining Chairs, Set of 8
By Erik Kierkegaard
Located in Praha, CZ
- Very rare model originally designed for the boat named Lalandia in Denmark - Made of solid teak - Newly upholstered - The wooden parts have been refurbished - Some of them are s...
Fabric, Teak, Upholstery, Wood
$22,950 / set
H 32.5 in W 34.5 in D 41 in
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...
Jacaranda
$25,950
H 28 in W 38 in D 32 in
Set of 2 'Amazonas' Lounge Chairs by Jean Gillon for Italma, Brazil, c. 1970s
By Jean Gillon
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing an ultra-rare set of two "Amazonas" lounge chairs designed by the incomparable Jean Gillon for Italma Wood Art. This now iconic chair is the epitome of Brazilian or Tropi...
Rosewood
$19,943
H 31.89 in W 41.34 in D 35.83 in
Jangada Armchair by Jean Gillon, Noble Wood and Leather, Brazil, 1968
By Jean Gillon
Located in Lisboa, PT
Jangada armchair and ottoman designed by Jean Gillon in 1968 and produced by Italma WoodArt, a reclining lounge chair with a solid noble wood frame, a woven cord suspension and loose...
Leather, Wood
Rare sideboard by Jean Gillon, 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...
Wood, Jacaranda
$47,500
H 32.5 in W 34.5 in D 41 in
Rare Pair of 'Jangada' Lounge Chairs & Ottoman by Jean Gillon, Brazil, c. 1960s
By Jean Gillon, Italma Wood Art, wood art
Located in Deland, FL
About: Attention collectors: Introducing an incredibly rare set of two restored "Jangada" chairs with matching ottoman. Named the "Jangada" chair, after the small rustic fishing boat...
Leather, Rope, Jacaranda
$22,750
H 32.5 in W 34.5 in D 41 in
Rare 'Jangada' Lounge Chair by Jean Gillon for Wood Art, Brazil, c. 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 extraordinary armchair designed by the iconic Jean Gillon i...
Jacaranda
$5,995
H 31.25 in W 30.5 in D 35.5 in
Jean Gillon for Italma Amazonas Mid Century Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Italma, Jean Gillon
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jean Gillon for Italma Amazonas Mid Century Lounge Chair and Ottoman The chair measures: 30.5 wide x 35.5 deep x 31.25 high, with a seat height of 15 inches and arm height/chair cle...
Leather, Wood
$20,603 / set
H 33.47 in W 37.41 in D 41.34 in
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...
Leather, Wood
$12,500
H 29.5 in W 32.25 in D 32.25 in
1970s Pair of Copa Lounge Chairs by Jean Gillon for Italma in Solid Imbuia.
By Italma Wood Art, Jean Gillon
Located in Victoria, BC
Designed by Jean Gillon and produced by Italma in Brazil during the 1970s, this pair of Copa lounge chairs combines substantial proportions with an exposed hardwood structure and gen...
Leather, Imbuia
$1,041 / set
H 30.71 in W 20.08 in D 18.51 in
Set of Two Midcentury Rare Dining Chairs Bramin, Denmark, 1960s.
By Henry W Klein
Located in Praha, CZ
- extremely rare type - confortable - marked by label
Leather, Teak
$28,500
H 32.29 in W 35.44 in D 39.38 in
fauteuil et ottoman "jacanda" et Ottomane par Jean Gillon, Brésil, 1960s
By Jean Gillon
Located in SAINT-SEVER, FR
Icône du design brésilien des années 1960, le fauteuil “Gran Captain”, également connu sous le nom de “Jacanda”, est une création emblématique de Jean Gillon, éditée par Italma WoodA...
Palisander
Set of Four Jean Gillon Rosewood and Leather Armchairs
By Jean Gillon
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautiful set of four solid rosewood and leather armchairs by Jean Gillon for Italma Wood Art.