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Jean Gillon Sofas

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, Two-seater sofa, c. 1970, c. 1970. Probel Label
By Jean Gillon, Probel
Located in PARIS, FR
The 2-seater sofa designed by Brazilian designer Jean Gillon is an elegant and comfortable piece. It consists of a solid wood frame, covered with a white cotton curly fabric. The fab...
Category

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

Materials

Upholstery, Hardwood

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...
Category

1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Sofas

Materials

Hardwood

Jean Gillon Sofa Produced by Wood Art in Brazil
By Jean Gillon
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare sofa designed by Jean Gillon. Produced by Wood Art in Brazil.    
Category

1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Sofas

Materials

Brass

Rodeio Sofa in Hardwood, by Jean Gillon, Brazilian Midcentury Modern
By Jean Gillon
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
This exceptional "Rodeio" sofa, designed by renowned Brazilian modernist Jean Gillon in the 1960s, is a testament to the seamless integration of traditional craftsmanship and moderni...
Category

Late 20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Jean Gillon Sofas

Materials

Hardwood, Leather, Suede

Mid-Century Modern Sofa in Hardwood & Leather by Jean Gillon, 1970, Brazil
By Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
Available now, this very Brazilian modern sofa in black leather and hardwood designed by Jean Gillon in the seventies is simply spectacular! This gorgeous, one-of-a-kind three sea...
Category

Mid-20th Century South American Mid-Century Modern Jean Gillon Sofas

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

BraziLIAN Rosewood and White Leather Sofa by Jean Gillon for Probel S.A.
By Probel, Jean Gillon
Located in Buffalo, NY
BraziLIAN Rosewood and White Leather Sofa by Jean Gillon for Probel S.A... Classic Modernist 1970's design.. Extremely comfortable.. Superior quality and construction.Retains its o...
Category

1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Sofas

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Brazilian Rosewood "Amazonas" Sofa by Jean Gillon for Italma
By Jean Gillon, Italma
Located in Dallas, TX
Stunning vintage "Amazonas" sofa designed by Jean Gillon for Italma. Gorgeous Brazilian Rosewood frame with knotted rope supports with upholstered cushion seat. Matching chair avai...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Jean Gillon Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Cord, Rosewood

Jean Gillon, 2-seater sofa, c. 1970. Probel Label
By Jean Gillon
Located in PARIS, FR
The 2-seater sofa designed by Brazilian designer Jean Gillon is an elegant and comfortable piece. It consists of a solid wood frame, covered with a white cotton curly fabric. The fab...
Category

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

Materials

Upholstery, Hardwood

Jean Gillon Three Seat Sofa in Olive Leather
By Jean Gillon
Located in Minneapolis, MN
This classic 1970's Brazilian Modern sofa has leather webbing support and olive green leather cushions. Lacquer finished rosewood frame. Professional, skilled furniture restorati...
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Scandinavian Modern Jean Gillon Sofas

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Jean Gillon "Rodeio" sofa, 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 Sofas

Materials

Leather

Rare Brazilian Sofa & Lounge Chairs Set by Jean Gillon
By Jean Gillon
Located in Kensington, MD
Mid Century Modern as only the Brazilian designers do it! Rosewood frame with plush tufted leather cushions. Set includes a sofa and two lounge chairs. *Due to time, labor costs, ...
Category

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

Materials

Rosewood, Leather

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Pure Brazilian midcentury. Featuring a solid Brazilian rosewood frame and netted rope inspired by local fisherman. This sofa has a sleek design that look spectacular from any angle. This item is in original condition with the leather having been previously retouched. Jean Gillon Amazonas...
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A wonderful original matching 1970s Brazilian seating group attributed to Jean Gillon. This amazing comfortable 3-seat and two 1-seat have a unique washed dark-grey oak frame and sof...
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Jean Gillon sofas for sale on 1stDibs.

Jean Gillon sofas 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 sofas, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original sofas 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 sofas by Liceu de Artes e Ofícios, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, and Móveis Cimo. Prices for Jean Gillon sofas can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $4,760 and can go as high as $32,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $12,775.

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