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Jean Gillon - Italma - 1960s executive desk table in wood labeled 6 drawers

$12,000

£8,969.96

€10,479.58

CA$16,880.84

A$17,084.71

CHF 9,795.90

MX$207,216.28

NOK 113,922.40

SEK 115,962

DKK 78,338.66

About the Item

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 2.02 meters in width, 1.00 meter in depth, and 0.75 meters in height, it is crafted from solid wood and veneered in jacarandá (Brazilian rosewood), highlighting the luxurious grain and natural beauty of this prized material. The desk’s minimalist design features clean, modernist lines, with dual pedestals containing three drawers each. Above the drawers, each pedestal includes an integrated tray with a built-in metal cup holder, adorned with the Italma logo (a stylized “I”), adding a functional yet elegant detail to the piece. Jean Gillon, a Romanian-born designer who found great success in Brazil, is celebrated for blending modernist principles with the natural materials of his adopted country. His work is defined by its exceptional craftsmanship and innovative design. Gillon’s most iconic creation, the Jangada Armchair, exemplifies his approach—featuring a hammock-like seat suspended by ropes and constructed with jacarandá wood, it combines comfort and artistry seamlessly. Italma, a leading Brazilian furniture manufacturer of the mid-20th century, was known for its commitment to quality and modern design, often incorporating subtle yet distinctive branding into its pieces. This desk is a prime example of Italma’s craftsmanship, showcasing their attention to detail and the sophistication of Brazilian modernism. Its combination of functionality and timeless design makes it a valuable collector’s item and a piece of Brazilian design history.

Creator:
Jean Gillon (Designer),Italma Wood Art (Manufacturer)
Dimensions:
Height: 29.53 in (75 cm)Width: 79.53 in (202 cm)Depth: 39.38 in (100 cm)
Style:
Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Metal,Wood
Place of Origin:
Brazil
Period:
Mid-20th Century
Date of Manufacture:
early 1970s
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading. Piece in excellent condition, never restored, with no structural issues. There are no missing areas in the Jacaranda veneer of the top, only some cup stains, and there are slight undulations in the Jacaranda veneer on the sides of the piece.
Seller Location:
São Paulo, BR
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU10213243178982

Shop All Jean Gillon

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.