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.
Brazilian Modern Rosewood Credenza with Brass Details, Jean Gillon, Brazil, 1965
By Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
represents a rare private commission executed at the highest level of Brazilian Modern craftsmanship. Constructed from Brazilian rosewood, the rectangular structure is supported by t...
Brass
Reform Hammered Brass Credenza
By Jonathan Adler
Located in New York, NY
The Reform credenza is inspired by the Brutalist architecture of modernist temples and churches from Le Corbusier's Ronchamp to Miami's Temple Israel t...
Brass
$6,450
H 39.38 in W 78.75 in D 19.69 in
Bleached Solid Oak Credenza with Graphic Details, France, 1940s
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Credenza, solid oak, France, 1940s. Large Art Deco Brutalist sideboard. The credenza consists of two central drawers and three storage facilities and covered with very detailed de...
Oak
Solid Oak Credenza with Graphic Details, France, 1940s
By Gaston Poisson, Charles Dudouyt
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Description: This exceptional credenza, crafted in France in the 1940s, epitomizes the powerful yet refined aesthetic of the Art Deco Brutalist movement. Fashioned from solid oak, t...
Oak
$4,995
H 32.25 in W 66 in D 16 in
Vintage MCM to Modern Rosewood Buffet Credenza Lucite Legs Attr Bernhardt Flair
By Milo Baughman, Flair, Bernhardt
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous vintage Mid-Century Modern to modern Rosewood buffet or credenza with Lucite legs & chrome accents attributed to Bernhardt Flair. This pi...
Metal, Chrome
Gorgeous Milo Baughman Burled Wood Credenza Mid-century Modern
By Milo Baughman
Located in Pemberton, NJ
GORGEOUS MILO BAUGHMAN BURLED WOOD AND CHOCOLATE LACQUERED CREDENZA. THE TOP HAS A SHINEY CHOCOLATE LACQUER IN VERY NICE VINTAGE CONDITION. ...
Brass
$7,400
H 38.5 in W 116 in D 20 in
Vittorio Dassi Walnut, Sycamore & Brass Credenza, Sideboard Italy 1960
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Miami, FL
Vittorio DASSI long credenza, buffet, sideboard with 5 doors made in the 1960s. Sycamore and walnut with beveled green glass tops. In good original condition Brass ornaments on the d...
Sycamore, Walnut, Glass
French Solid Oak Credenza with Hand-Carved Details, 1940s
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Very elegant credenza in solid oak, France, 1940s. Art Deco Brutalist sideboard. The credenza consists of Two storage facilities covered with hand-carved designed doors and a colu...
Oak
Edward Wormley Dunbar Custom Credenza Rosewood Curved Front
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A rare credenza designed by Edward Wormley and custom made by Dunbar for Mellin Furniture Galleries, Warren, Michigan, circa 1969. Curved front rosewood doors, walnut case with plast...
Walnut
American Mid-Century Modern Credenza, circa 1979
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
American, Mid-Century Modern credenza, that converts into a buffet when closed. Designed by Hari Matsuda in the late 1970s and this credenza, along with its matching Mid-Century Mode...
Wood
$20,025 / item
H 43.61 in W 72.05 in D 20.87 in
Shagreen Buffet with Bronze-Patina Brass Details by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Arianne buffet by R&Y Augousti is one of a kind statement piece. The overall piece is inlaid in cream shagreen accentuated with intricate bronze-patina brass details that have th...
Brass
Solid Oak Credenza with Graphic Details, France, 1940s
By Gaston Poisson, Charles Dudouyt
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Introducing a captivating and refined 1940s Art Deco sideboard, exquisitely crafted in France from solid oak. This large and elegant credenza showcases the perfect fusion of Art Deco...
Oak
$20,025 / item
H 43.61 in W 72.05 in D 20.87 in
Shagreen Buffet with Bronze-Patina Brass Details by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Brass
Sold
H 29.14 in W 61.03 in D 17.72 in
Brazilian Midcentury Credenza in Jacaranda by Jean Gillon, 1950's
By Jean Gillon
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Midcentury Credenza in jacaranda rosewood by Jean Gillon, Brazil, 1960s.
Jacaranda