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.
1970s Brazilian Wood and Leather Sofa by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in Victoria, BC
One of the most comfortable sofas we’ve ever had the pleasure of offering, this stunning piece was designed by Percival Lafer in the 1970s. It features a solid Brazilian hardwood fra...
Leather
1970s Lounge Chair by Jean Gillon of Probel, completely original.
By Jean Gillon
Located in Victoria, BC
Designed by renowned Brazilian designer Jean Gillon during the 1970s, this rare low back lounge chair is an outstanding example of Brazilian Modern design. Combining sculptural propo...
Imbuia
1970s MP-91 / MP-163 Earth Sofa by Percival Lafer in leather and hardwood
By Percival Lafer
Located in Victoria, BC
Designed by Percival Lafer during the 1970s, the MP-91 / MP-163 “Earth” sofa remains one of the most recognizable and comfortable seating designs produced during the golden era of Brazilian modernism. The design combines structural clarity with an unusually relaxed and immersive seating experience, reflecting Lafer’s unique ability to merge engineering, ergonomics, and material expression. The sofa is constructed around a robust Brazilian hardwood frame that creates a suspended visual effect, where the upholstered body appears to float lightly above the base structure. The proportions are low and architectural, while the generous cushioning and suspended support system create a remarkably comfortable sit. Lafer approached seating with a strong emphasis on long-term comfort and practical construction, qualities that became central to his international success during the 1970s export period. This example has been fully reupholstered in high-quality Spinneybeck leather, a material widely recognized for its durability and refined surface quality. The arm cushions feature an uncommon pillow configuration. While this may represent a later upholstery interpretation introduced during restoration, similar variations were also seen in certain export-market configurations produced through Brazil Contempo...
Leather, Hardwood
1970s MP-211 Two-Seater Sofa by Percival Lafer in original black leather
By Percival Lafer
Located in Victoria, BC
Designed by Percival Lafer and produced by Lafer S.A. in Brazil around 1975, the MP-211 two-seater sofa stands among the most recognizable and technically sophisticated examples of B...
Leather, Rosewood
1950s Danish Sofa by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Victoria, BC
A rare and elegant sofa by Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, showcasing the refined proportions and architectural clarity that define his early Danish modern work. The sculptural frame, angled ...
Wood
1970s MP-81 Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Percival Lafer, Completely Original.
By Percival Lafer
Located in Victoria, BC
Designed by Percival Lafer during the 1970s and produced in Brazil, the MP-81 lounge chair is one of the designer's most recognizable and comfortable creations. Built around an expos...
Leather, Jatoba
Midcentury Rare Scandinavian Sofa, Denmark, 1970s
Located in Praha, CZ
- very rare type - confortable - good original condition
Metal
Italian Mid Century Modern Modular Sofa 1970s
Located in Palermo, PA
Italian Modular Corner Sofa, 1970s A beautiful Italian modular corner sofa from the 1970s in a warm sand beige tone. The fabric has a soft textured surface with a tactile feel that ...
Fabric, Wood
1960s Sofa, Rudolf Bernd Glatzel
By Rudolf Bernd Glatzel, Alfred Kill International
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic Sofa from the 1960s by Rudolf Bernd Glatzel for Kill International. High-quality solid cherrywood frame with original leather cover in black. Quality Features: accompli...
Leather
Jean Gillon "Rodeio" sofa, Brazil, 1960s
By Jean Gillon
Located in Stockholm, SE
Produced 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...
Leather
Swiss Design Vintage De Sede DS-15 Settee, 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Renens, CH
Vintage dark brown leather DS-15 sofa by De Sede Switzerland. The compact two-seater sofa consists of two DS-15 corner elements combined, and is upholstered in virtually indestructi...
Leather, Wood
Mid-century three-seat sofa produced in Italy during the 1970s.
Located in Praha, CZ
he sofa is upholstered in cognac leather and features deep tufted cushions, generous padding and sculptural armrests that create an exceptionally comfortable seating experience. Its ...
Leather, Wood
