By Jean Gillon, Italma
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice and rare sideboard designed by Jean Gillon and manufactured by Italma, Brazil 1960. Made from patchwork rosewood veneer, which draws inspiration from designs by Jorge Zalszupin for l'Atelier. The thoughtful design features slightly angled corners on the left and right. The right side of the sideboard has two sliding doors that move in both directions, with the locks removed for easy access. You have the option to use the open space for displaying books or collectibles, with shelves on each side. On the left side, three drawers with cool modernist block handles offer practical storage. The handles have a minimal half-rounded shape when viewed from the top. The sideboard also retains its original metal facility tag at the back. This piece can function as well as a practical as an easthetical piece.
Jean Gillon, originally from Romania and later a naturalized Brazilian, gained prominence as an architect-designer through his company Italma WoodArt. In the 1960s and 1970s, he crafted furniture collections using Brazilian rosewood. Gillon’s early years involved living in various European cities, and after studying arts in Iași, he moved to Paris, where he engaged in cartooning and set design. His architectural studies took him to Vienna and later London, where he became a visiting lecturer.
In 1956, Gillon and his wife Edith relocated to São Paulo, drawn by the vibrant Brazilian architecture scene. Initially focusing on architecture, Gillon shifted to furniture design in 1961, founding Fábrica de Móveis Cidam, later known as Italma WoodArt. By the mid-1960s, his WoodArt designs, especially lounge chairs and sofas made of rosewood and Brazilian leather, gained popularity in Brazil. In 1964, Gillon expanded globally, exporting his products to twenty-two countries. One of Gillon’s notable designs was the Jangada Chair (1968), a lounge chair and ottoman inspired by a traditional Brazilian fishing boat...
Category
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
