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Jean Gillon Desks and Writing Tables

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.

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

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...

Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Jean Gillon Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Restored Expansive Desk in Jacaranda, Jean Gillon, Italma Wood Art, Brazil, 1960
Restored Expansive Desk in Jacaranda, Jean Gillon, Italma Wood Art, Brazil, 1960

Restored Expansive Desk in Jacaranda, Jean Gillon, Italma Wood Art, Brazil, 1960

By Jean Gillon

Located in Deland, FL

This sophisticated Mid-Century Modern executive desk, designed by Jean Gillon and manufactured by Italma in Brazil during the late 1960s, exemplifies luxurious craftsmanship. Crafted...

Category

1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Jacaranda

Jean Gillon desk in rosewood for Italma Woodart, 1960s
Jean Gillon desk in rosewood for Italma Woodart, 1960s

Jean Gillon desk in rosewood for Italma Woodart, 1960s

By Jean Gillon, Italma Wood Art

Located in JASSANS-RIOTTIER, FR

This exquisite rosewood desk is a standout creation by celebrated Brazilian designer Jean Gillon, crafted in the 1960s by Italma WoodArt — a prestigious manufacturer recognized for i...

Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Jean Gillon Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Stunning desk table in Brazilian Rosewood by Jean Gillon for Italma Woodart.
Stunning desk table in Brazilian Rosewood by Jean Gillon for Italma Woodart.

Stunning desk table in Brazilian Rosewood by Jean Gillon for Italma Woodart.

By Jean Gillon

Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen

This stunning and rare vintage desk, designed by Jean Gillon and manufactured by Italma Woodart in Brazil in 1965, exemplifies the elegance and craftsmanship that define mid-century ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Jean Gillon Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Mid-Century Modern Wooden Desk by Jean Gillon, Brazil, 1960s
Mid-Century Modern Wooden Desk by Jean Gillon, Brazil, 1960s

Mid-Century Modern Wooden Desk by Jean Gillon, Brazil, 1960s

By Jean Gillon

Located in Brussels, BE

Mid-Century Modern Wooden Desk by Jean Gillon, Brazil, 1960s

Category

1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

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Previously Available Items
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1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Gillon Desks and Writing Tables

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Jean Gillon desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Jean Gillon desks and writing tables are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Jean Gillon desks and writing tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original desks and writing tables by Jean Gillon were created in the mid-century modern style in south america during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider desks and writing tables by Pierre Chapo, Joaquim Tenreiro, and Fred&Juul. Prices for Jean Gillon desks and writing tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $5,304 and can go as high as $22,800, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $8,200.