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 Sculptural Drawers, Jean Gillon, 1960s
By Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Jean Gillon during the height of the Brazilian Modern movement, this monumental credenza embodies the architectural sophistication, material richness, and sculptural rest...
Brass
Danish Modern Brazilian Rosewood Credenza by Knud Nielsen
By Losning Mobelfabrik, Knud Nielsen
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Dating to the 1960s, this Danish modern Brazilian rosewood credenza by Knud Nielsen for Losning Mobelfabrik showcases the exceptional craftsmanship and sculptural form that establish...
Oak, Rosewood
Rayas Black & White Striped Credenza with Wooden Marquetry
By Merve Kahraman
Located in Istanbul, TR
This exclusive credenza is originally designed as a custom shoe cabinet. It is uniquely created by assembling striped geometric wooden veneer pieces toget...
Wood, Lacquer
Scandinavian Modern Brazilian Rosewood Small Credenza
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This Swedish modern rosewood small credenza / storage cabinet showcases the exceptional craftsmanship and material selection that defined Scandinavian furniture design during the 196...
Rosewood
$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
$9,950
H 31 in W 48 in D 20 in
Sleek Restored Vintage Modern Credenza in Walnut by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
By Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stunning example of a rare multipurpose case piece by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb, circa 1950s. Expertly crafted walnut case construction with elegant lines and detail. Wo...
Walnut
Rayas Striped Credenza with Dark Burl Wood Marquetry
By Merve Kahraman
Located in Istanbul, TR
This exclusive credenza is originally designed as a custom shoe cabinet. It is uniquely created by assembling striped geometric wooden veneer pieces together, portraying a 3D illusio...
Wood, Burl, Lacquer
Midcentury Post Modern Demilune Credenza or Cabinet in Glossy Laminate
By Karl Springer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large substantial storage piece from the late 1980s. It features an elongated demilune form finished in a beautiful modern glossy laminate and four d...
Laminate
Danish Modern Brazilian Rosewood Credenza by Ib Kofod Larsen
By Ib Kofod-Larsen, Faarup Møbelfabrik
Located in North Hollywood, CA
An exceptional Danish modern credenza designed by the highly coveted designer Ib Kofod-Larsen for Faarup Mobelfabrik, Denmark, circa 1960s. Known for his refined proportions and scul...
Oak, Rosewood
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
$5,950
H 31 in W 60 in D 20 in
Exceptional Modern Buffet/Credenza by American of Martinsville in Cream Lacquer
By American of Martinsville
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Beautiful Modern buffet/credenza by America of Martinsville, circa 1950. Functional case design offers a center bank of four ( 4 ) drawers, flanked by two ( 2 ) open compartments (...
Wood
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
$22,000
H 27.5 in W 75.25 in D 16 in
Jorge Zalszupin Rosewood Mid-Century Credenza for L'Atelier, Brazil, 1960s
By L'Atelier San Paulo, Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This iconic stunning rosewood credenza from the Componivel series was designed by Jorge Zalszupin (1922-2020) and manufactured by his own company, L'Atelier, in the 1960s. It's inst...
Rosewood
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