Jean Gillon "Rodeio" Midcentury brazilian sofa in Wood with Leather, 60s
About the Item
- Creator:Jean Gillon (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.93 in (76 cm)Width: 91.34 in (232 cm)Depth: 36.62 in (93 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Sao Paulo, BR
- Reference Number:
Jean Gillon
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: São Paulo, Brazil
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Midcentury Brazilian Sofa with Imbúia Wood Structure, 1960sLocated in Sao Paulo, SPWe work with artisans who masterfully restore typical pieces from each period of our history, valuing their different preservation techniques. Teamwork has built this pioneering comp...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWood
- Zanine Caldas Midcentury Brazilian Sofa with Ivory Wood, 1958By Mòveis Artisticos ZLocated in Sao Paulo, SPZanine Caldas midcentury Brazilian sofa with ivory wood, 1958 Expetacular and rare sofa produced in Móveis Artísticos Z in the 1950s. Its...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWood
- Salvatore Dinucci Midcentury Brazilian Sofa with Velvet Upholstery, 1950sBy DinucciLocated in Sao Paulo, SPSalvatore Dinucci Midcentury Brazilian Sofa with Velvet Upholstery, 1950s Virtually unknown by the general public, Dinucci, as the signature on his...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Art Deco Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- Midcentury Brazilian "MP-13" Sofa in Jatobá by Percival Lafer, 1970sBy Percival LaferLocated in Sao Paulo, SPWe work with artisans who masterfully restore typical pieces from each period of our history, valuing their different preservation techniques. Teamwork has built this pioneering comp...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsSuede
- Carlos Millan for Branco & Preto "M3" Midcentury brazilian Sofa, 1952By Branco & Preto, Carlos MillanLocated in Sao Paulo, SPCarlos Millan for Branco & Preto "M3" Midcentury brazilian Sofa, 1952 Founded in São Paulo, a mixture of shop and studio considered by many...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Iron and Wood Chair by Jean Gillon for ItalmaBy Jean GillonLocated in Sao Paulo, SPWe work with artisans who masterfully restore typical pieces from each period of our history, valuing their different preservation techniques. Teamwork has built this pioneering comp...Category
Vintage 1960s Modern Chairs
MaterialsIron
- Jean Gillon "Rodeio" sofa, Brazil, 1960sBy Jean GillonLocated in Stockholm, SEProduced 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
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- Jean Gillon Rodeio sofa Italma Woodart Brazil 1965By Italma Wood Art, Jean GillonLocated in Roosendaal, Noord BrabantTypical Brazilian modern sofa model 'Rodeio' designed by Jean Gillon and manufactured by Italma Woodart, Brazil 1965. This sofa features a sturdy rosewood frame in a rich brown-red h...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Rosewood
- Jean Gillon Sofa Produced by Wood Art in BrazilBy Jean GillonLocated in Limhamn, Skåne länRare sofa designed by Jean Gillon. Produced by Wood Art in Brazil.Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBrass
- Rodeio Armchair, by Jean Gillon in Hardwood. Brazilian Midcentury ModernBy Jean GillonLocated in Sao Paulo, SPThe Rodeio armchair is an iconic piece that perfectly represents the main characteristics of Brazilian design as a school. It is one of the most outstanding creations of Jean Gillon,...Category
Early 20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsJacaranda
- Jean Gillon 1960s Brazilian Jacaranda Wood Three-Seat Sofa in Tan SuedeBy Jean GillonLocated in Los Angeles, CABeautifully restored 1960s Jean Gillon three-seat sofa made of Brazilian jacaranda wood upholstered in tan suede.Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsJacaranda, Suede, Wood
- Brazilian Oak and Olive Green Leather 3-Seat Sofa, Jean GillonBy Jean GillonLocated in Voorburg, NLA wonderful original matching 1970s Brazilian sofa attributed to Jean Gillon. This amazing comfortable 3-seater has a unique washed dark-grey oak frame and soft Brazilian leather cus...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Oak