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.
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
$6,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
Rare Pair Jean Gillon Rosewood Leather Lounge Chair Ottoman Probel Brazilian
By Jean Gillon
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Rare pair Jean Gillon for Probel rosewood and leather lounge chairs and ottomans. The rosewood frames are in great condition with minor wear. The original beige leather is in good co...
Leather, Rosewood
Price Upon Request
Jean Gillon, Leather Chair and Ottoman, Brazil, circa 1960s
By Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
With its slung arms, reclined seat, and plush, leather upholstery, this chair, created by Jean Gillon in the 1960s, possesses a quintessential Brazilian...
Brass
$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
$15,995 / set
H 32.75 in W 35 in D 41 in
Brazilian Jangada Rosewood & Leather Sling Chair with Ottoman by Jean Gillon
By Sergio Rodrigues, Jean Gillon, 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 ...
Leather, Rosewood
$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
$4,160Sale Price / set|37% Off
H 32.5 in W 31 in D 28.5 in
Don Shoemaker Sling "Swinger" Chair and Ottoman, Mexico 1960s
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Camden, ME
A Classic 20th century chair and ottoman from one of the great craftsman's workshops of Mexico: Senal, S.A., Don Shoemaker's tropical paradise in Michoacan, Mexico. This iconic chai...
Leather, Cocobolo
Jangada Chair & Ottoman by Jean Gillon for Italma Wood Art
By Italma Wood Art, Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
Rare example of Brazilian modernism at its finest: the iconic “Jangada” lounge chair and ottoman, designed by Jean Gillon and produced by Italma Wood Art...
Leather, Rope, Rosewood
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...
Leather
$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
$12,250Sale Price|30% Off
H 32.5 in W 34.5 in D 41 in
Jangada Chair by Jean Gillon, 1960's, Brazilian Modern
By Jean Gillon
Located in Culver City, CA
The Jangada Chair: A Brazilian Masterpiece With Stories to Tell Let’s talk about the Jangada Chair; a stunning piece of functional art that’s as much a conversation starter as it is ...
Leather, Rosewood
$2,900
H 36.5 in W 31 in D 30 in
Erhardsen & Andersen, "Siesta" Chair with Ottoman, Black Leather, Lounge Chair
By Erhardsen & Andersen
Located in Toledo, OH
Erhardsen and Andersen, "Siesta" chair with ottoman. 20th century. Black leather tufted armchair on chrome base with matching ottoman. Unlabeled...
Chrome
Brazilian Rosewood "Amazonas" Chair by Jean Gillon for Italma
By Jean Gillon, Italma
Located in Dallas, TX
Stunning vintage "Amazonas" chair designed by Jean Gillon for Italma. Gorgeous Brazilian Rosewood frame with knotted rope supports with upholstered cushion seat. Matching sofa avai...
Fabric, Cord, Rosewood
Jean Gillon Jangada Lounge Chair with Ottoman, Rosewood
By Jean Gillon, Italma, Paltrona Frau, Italma Wood Art
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Highly sought after and ultimately collectible, this beautiful example of a Jean Gillon Jangada Lounge Chair and Ottoman is an EARLY model in RARE ...
Leather, Rosewood
Rosewood and leather lounge Chair and Ottoman Don Shoemaker
By Don S. Shoemaker
Located in Atlanta, GA
Crafted in beautiful rosewood, the lounge chair and ottoman was an iconic design by Don Shoemaker for Senal. The chair with a rocking seat and the folding ottoman...
Leather, Rosewood
Jean Gillon Jangada Lounge Chair with Ottoman in Cognac Leather
By Jean Gillon
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jean Gillon, 'Jangada' armchair and ottoman, rosewood, nylon rope, cognac leather, Brazil, 1968. This robust and hefty armchair is designed by Jean Gillon. The originality of this...
Leather, Rope, Wood
Jean Gillon Jangada Lounge Chair with Ottoman
By Jean Gillon
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jean Gillon, 'Jangada' armchair and ottoman, rosewood, nylon rope, leather, Brazil, 1968. This robust and hefty armchair is designed by Jean Gillon. The originality of this Jangan...
Leather, Rope, Wood
Jean Gillon "Rodeio" ottoman, Brazil, 1960s
By Jean Gillon
Located in Stockholm, SE
Design Jean Gillion. Produced during the 1960s by Wood Art Brazil.
Leather
Jean Gillon Blue Leather Captain Chair with Ottoman, 1960s
By Jean Gillon
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Stunning midcentury leather armchair with ottoman in a beautiful blue leather upholstery (original). This unique armchair sits very well and is the typical style of Jean Gillon wi...
Chrome
Sold
H 15.16 in W 29.53 in D 17.72 in
Jean Gillon Brazilian Jacarandá Rosewood Ottoman Stool Brown Leather by Wood Art
By Jean Gillon
Located in Berlin, DE
Rare Jacarandá rosewood ottoman by Jean Gillon. Made in Brazil by Wood Art, circa 1960s. A beautiful piece in perfect restored condition.
Leather, Rosewood
Sold
H 32.29 in W 35.83 in D 40.95 in
Vintage Brazilian White Armchair and Ottoman, Jangada, 1968, Jean Gillon
By Jean Gillon
Located in Leuven , BE
This fabulous easy chair was designed by Jean Gillon for Wood Art, Brazil in 1962. This amazing chair is made of organic shaped Jacaranda wood and has a rope seat that resembles a fi...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 32 in W 31 in D 36 in
Exotic Rosewood and Leather Brazilian Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Jean Gillon
By Jean Gillon
Located in Atlanta, GA
Exotic rosewood or jacaranda and leather Brazilian lounge chair and ottoman, designed by Jean Gillon for Italma Wood Art, Brazil, circa 1960s. It retains it's original leather uphols...
Chrome
Brazilian Stool Footrest Ottoman by Jean Gillon
By Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
Hard to find item by Brazilian designer Jean Gillon. This example is in fair condition, showing cosmetic wear and one tenon has been cracked and re-glued.
Leather, Wood
Jean Gillon Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Jean Gillon
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jangarda Lounge chair and ottoman. Designed by Jean Gillon for Woodart/Brezil circa 1970. Exotic hardwood, leather and fishnet.
Hardwood, Leather
Jean Gillon Ottoman with Rosewood Frame
By Jean Gillon
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This Ottoman by designer Jean Gillon was produced circa 1960. The piece has retained its finish and is stunning original condition and skillfully reupholstered in supple black leather.
Rosewood, Leather