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.
Jean Gillon, Solid wood coffee table. c. 1960. Label of the Probel workshop
By Jean Gillon
Located in PARIS, FR
The coffee table designed by Jean Gillon is a remarkable piece in solid wood, with a thick removable top with square cutouts in the corners. This feature adds a touch of sophisticati...
Hardwood
Mar solid ash wood Coffee Table
By Capital Studio
Located in Mexico City, MX
The Mar coffee table, with contemporary style, was designed from the interaction and conversation that arise around a central table. This piece of furniture was born to smooth the in...
Wood, Ash
Jean Gillon Probel Coffee Table
By Jean Gillon
Located in Washington, DC
Coffee table designed by Brazilian master Jean Gillon for Probel. Contains manufacturer's label.
Wood
$10,294 / item
H 11.82 in W 27.56 in D 47.25 in
Solid Oak Wood Coffee Table, Fishes Series 2 by Joel Escalona
By Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Fishes is a series of sculptural coffee tables inspired by the famous Fish (1930) sculpture of Rumanian artist Constantin Brancusi. Brancusi's work has been widely regarded as a masterpiece of modern art, and his Fish sculpture remain an iconic symbol of his artistic vision. The Fishes Coffee Tables...
Wood, Hardwood, Oak
Jean Gillon Pair of Probel Side Tables
By Jean Gillon
Located in Washington, DC
Beautiful pair of side tables by Brazilian master Jean Gillon, designed for Probel.
Wood
$9,063 / item
H 43.31 in W 31.5 in D 13.78 in
Rectangular Coffee Table Made of Solid Oak Wood by Nono Furniture
By Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Coffee table made of solid oak wood. All the pieces are coated with polyurethane with a semi-matt finish. — NONO is a Mexican design brand with more than 10 years of experience dedic...
Hardwood, Oak
$9,063 / item
H 43.31 in W 43.31 in D 13.78 in
Square Coffee Table Made of Solid Oak Wood by Nono Furniture
By Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Coffee table made of solid oak wood. All the pieces are coated with polyurethane with a semi-matt finish. — NONO is a Mexican design brand with more than 10 years of experience dedic...
Oak, Hardwood
$12,000
H 29.53 in W 79.53 in D 39.38 in
Jean Gillon - Italma - 1960s executive desk table in wood labeled 6 drawers
By Jean Gillon, Italma Wood Art
Located in São Paulo, SP
This rare executive desk, designed by Jean Gillon and manufactured by Italma in the early 1970s in Brazil, is a stunning representation of mid-century modern furniture. Measuring 2.0...
Metal
$8,853 / item
H 11.82 in W 47.25 in D 23.63 in
Duna Rectangular Coffee Table in Solid Walnut Wood Coffee Table by Joel Escalona
By Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Duna Rectangular Coffee Table in Solid Walnut Wood Coffee Table by Joel Escalona Duna Collection is a set of wood tables and surfaces in...
Wood, Walnut, Hardwood
Brazilian Modern Coffee Table by Jean Gillon, Brazil, 1960s
By Jean Gillon
Located in Antwerp, BE
Designed in the 1960s by Jean Gillon, this rare coffee table exemplifies the sculptural language that distinguishes Brazilian modern furniture of the period. The composition is defin...
Wood
$8,094 / item
H 16.54 in W 47.25 in D 35.44 in
Duna Coffee Table in Solid Poplar Wood, Coffee Table by Joel Escalona
By Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Duna Coffee Table in Solid Poplar Wood, Coffee Table by Joel Escalona Duna Collection is a set of wood tables and surfaces inspired by the vast sand dune regions of the world. These...
Wood, Poplar, Oak, Hardwood
$14,941 / item
H 16.54 in W 47.25 in D 35.44 in
Set of 2 Duna Coffee Tables in Solid Poplar Wood, Coffee Table by Joel Escalona
By Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Set of 2 Duna Coffee Tables in Solid Poplar Wood, Coffee Table by Joel Escalona Duna Collection is a set of wood tables and surfaces inspired by the vast sand dune regions of the wo...
Wood, Poplar, Hardwood
$9,824 / item
H 16.54 in W 47.25 in D 35.44 in
Duna Coffee Table in Solid Walnut Wood, Coffee Table by Joel Escalona
By Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Duna Coffee Table in Solid Walnut Wood, Coffee Table by Joel Escalona Duna Collection is a set of wood tables and surfaces inspired by the vast sand dune regions of the world. These...
Wood, Walnut, Hardwood
Sold
H 14.97 in W 39.38 in D 39.38 in
Coffee Table in Jacaranda Wood and Glass by Jean Gillon — Brazil, 1960s
By Jean Gillon
Located in Lapa de Baixo, SP
Square coffee table in solid rosewood and glass, with two support surfaces. Rare piece, already restored and ready for delivery.
Glass, Wood
Sold
H 15.5 in W 26 in D 20 in
Brazilian Modern Coffee Table in Hardwood & Marble, Jean Gillon, 1968, Brazil
By Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
Available today, this Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table, in solid Rosewood and Marble designed by Jean Gillon in the 60s is nothing less than spectacular! What makes this coffee table so special is the sleek design iconic from Jean Gillon. The “stake” shape of the legs is seen in many of Gillon’s pieces, specially in the Rodeio collection. Attached images from Jean Gillons book featuring the iconic "Rodeio" collection including stools, coffee table, armchairs and sofa. This coffee table is so awesome that it looks fantastic in any furniture set we match it with. Currently the coffee table is showcased with a “Concha” set (Sofa, Armchairs) from Joaquim Tenreiro and it looks stellar. This piece would look incredible in any modern, Mid-Century Modern or contemporary environment. This piece would also look wonderful in a boho chic, or Hollywood Regency style home. Jean Gillon was a Brazilian furniture designer born in Romania in 1919. He studied at the Architecture and fine arts Schools at the National University. He founded his first company Fábrica de Móveis Cidam in 1961 after emigrating to São Paulo, Brazil in 1956. Gillon's firm designed many luxury hotels throughout Brazil and homes and stores. He was known for his one of a kind tapestries. His second furniture company, WoodArt, produced full lines of Brazilian rosewood furniture...
Marble