Iconic Brazilian "Jangada" Lounge Chair by Jean Gillon in Jacaranda, 1968
About the Item
- Creator:Jean Gillon (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 32.68 in (83 cm)Width: 35.44 in (90 cm)Depth: 41.34 in (105 cm)Seat Height: 13.39 in (34 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Refinished. Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Houston, TX
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4912225114142
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: Sugar Land, TX
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Jangada Armchair & Stool - Leather - Jean Gillon, Mid-Century ModernBy Jean GillonLocated in Houston, TXThe "Jangada" lounge chair, a stunning example of Brazilian modern design by Jean Gillon, is a masterpiece that exudes timeless beauty and exquisite craftsmanship. Designed in the 19...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Hardwood
- Arraia Lounge Chair attribute to Jorge Zalszupin, Mid-Century Modern-Vintage 60sBy Jorge Zalszupin, L'Atelier San PauloLocated in Houston, TXThis striking brown leather 'Poltrona Arraia' armchair is Attributed to the master of Brazilian modernist design, Jorge Zalszupin. It features 3 legs made of iron, leather seating, a...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Celina Armchair by Celina Zilberberg Rosewood and Leather JacarandaBy Celina MoveisLocated in Houston, TXThis Celina armchair shows a charming wooden structure that exposes unique wood veins, and all in solid Brazilian Jacaranda(Rosewood). Recently reupholstered in leather, it is such a...Category
Vintage 1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Jacaranda, Rosewood
- Rare Dining Chairs Set of 8 by Giuseppe Scapinelli, Brazilian Midcentury, 60'sBy Giuseppe ScapinelliLocated in Houston, TXRare dining chair set of 8 by Giuseppe Scapinelli, Brazil, 1960s. We can see the lines of Scapinelli designs in this dining chair, almost like a dialogue between modernism with It...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsLinen, Cane, Rosewood
- Liceu de Artes e Ofícios Lounge Chair, White LeatherBy Liceu de Artes e OfíciosLocated in Houston, TXLiceu de Artes e Ofiicios, lounge chair, Brazil, 1960s. The construction of the frame is created according to a skeleton layout. The design holds an open character with admiring l...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Hardwood
- Attributed to Jorge Zalszupin, Brasiliana Armchair, Brazilian Mid-Century 60'By Jorge ZalszupinLocated in Houston, TXIn honor of Oscar Niemeyer’s ultra-modern design for the Brazilian capital, Brasiliana was created in the 1950s by Jorge Zalszupin. The curved wooden frame is enriched by handcrafted...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBrass, Iron
- Jean Gillon Jangada Lounge Chair & Ottoman in Jacaranda & Leather, Brazil, 1960sBy Jean GillonLocated in Deland, FLNamed the "Jangada" chair, after the small rustic fishing boats used by fishermen along the northern coast of Brazil, this chair and ottoman set designed by the iconic Jean Gillon is...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsJacaranda
- Vintage Brazilian Jangada Chair by Jean GillonBy Jean GillonLocated in Saint Paul, MNThis exquisite vintage Jangada chair by renowned designer Jean Gillon is the perfect addition to any home. Handcrafted with premium rosewood and halyard rope, this chair is both stur...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Jangada lounge chair with ottoman by Jean Gillon - Mid Century Modern - BrazilBy Jean GillonLocated in Zandhoven, BEJANGADA LOUNGE CHAIR WITH OTTOMAN BY JEAN GILLON - BRAZIL 1968 Jangada lounge chair with ottoman by Jean Gillon. This piece is a true Brazilian Design Classic. Jangade refers to the...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Nylon, Rosewood
- Jean Gillon Jangada MCM Brazilian Rosewood Leather Lounge Chairs Ottomans - PairBy Jean GillonLocated in Countryside, ILJean Gillon Jangada Mid Century Brazilian Rosewood and Leather Lounge Chairs with Ottomans - Pair The chair measures: 40 wide x 41 deep x 36.5 high, with a seat height of 14.5 inche...Category
Vintage 1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Rosewood
- Vintage Jangada Leather Lounge Chair by Jean Gillon, 60'sBy Jean GillonLocated in Outremont, QCVintage Jangada Lounge Chair by Jean Gillon, 60's Features jacaranda frame, hammock like base made of nylon ropes. Newly reupholstered Italian leather cushions. // Dimensions: 35...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Jacaranda
- Brazilian Jangada Rosewood & Leather Sling Chair with Ottoman by Jean GillonBy Jean Gillon, Sergio Rodrigues, Percival LaferLocated in Chattanooga, TNThis Jean Gillon Jangada armchair and ottoman were completely disassembled and each piece of rosewood was stripped, sanded and refinished in multiple coats of hand-buffed finishing o...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Rosewood, Rope