Jean Gillon Paddle Shearling Arm Chairs
About the Item
- Creator:Jean Gillon (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 27.25 in (69.22 cm)Width: 38.5 in (97.79 cm)Depth: 36.25 in (92.08 cm)Seat Height: 11.25 in (28.58 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970
- Condition:Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses.
- Seller Location:Beverly Hills, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU808038754502
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: Beverly Hills, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Jean Gillon Paddle Arm ChairsLocated in Beverly Hills, CAFantastic large scale pair of Paddle armchairs - Brazil, circa 1950s Dark wood frame with Wide paddle shaped arms and unique large nut & bolt joinery. ...Category
Vintage 1970s French Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWood
- French Oak Leather ChairsLocated in Beverly Hills, CAUnique cubist shaped oak chairs with cantilevered paddle arms and leather sling cushions. Wonderful construction with doweling holding the frame Butterscotch original leather has...Category
Vintage 1950s French Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Oak
- Cubist Italian Club ChairsLocated in Beverly Hills, CAGreat pair of Italian Club Chairs with cubist shaped angles floating on walnut wood base. Interesting angular shape looks great from all directions. Ne...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Italian Leather Chairs, 1970sLocated in Beverly Hills, CAPair of leather Italian chairs - circa 1970s Great shape with gathered butterscotch colored leather Nickel buckle detail along back side. Handsome set of chairs.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Square Wool Boucle Swivel ChairsLocated in Beverly Hills, CAFantastic pair of newly produced square swivel chairs. Comfortable cushioned seats with low profile back cushion. Sits on walnut wood swivel base. ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWool, Bouclé, Walnut
- Pair of Salon Slipper ChairsLocated in Beverly Hills, CAPair of Italian slipper chairs newly produced by ORANGE with beautiful curved lines and solid brass legs.. Shown in burnt orange mohair and priced COM.Category
2010s American Slipper Chairs
MaterialsMohair
- 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
- Rare Brazilian Sofa & Lounge Chairs Set by Jean GillonBy Jean GillonLocated in Kensington, MDMid Century Modern as only the Brazilian designers do it! Rosewood frame with plush tufted leather cushions. Set includes a sofa and two lounge chairs. *Due to time, labor costs, ...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsRosewood, Leather
- Jean Gillon, Leather Chair and Ottoman, Brazil, circa 1960sBy Jean GillonLocated in New York, NYWith its slung arms, reclined seat, and plush, leather upholstery, this chair, created by Jean Gillon in the 1960s, possesses a quintessential Brazilian...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Copa Lounge Chair, by Jean Gillon, Brazilian Midcentury Modern DesignBy Jean GillonLocated in Sao Paulo, SPThese exquisite Copa lounge chairs, designed by the master Jean Gillon, are a testament to his genius in creating furniture that is both functional a...Category
Early 20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWood
- Brazilian Brutalist Rosewood and Leather Lounge Chair by Jean GillonBy Jean GillonLocated in BUSSUM, NHLarge Brutalist Lounge chair by Brazilian designer Jean Gillon from the 1960s Elegant organic shape with oversized armrests. In a very beautifull vintage condition. New Premium qu...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Brutalist Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Rosewood
- Brazilian Brutalist Rosewood and Leather Lounge Chair by Jean GillonBy Jean GillonLocated in BUSSUM, NHLarge Brutalist Lounge chair by Brazilian designer Jean Gillon from the 1960s In a very beautifull vintage condition. New Premium quality leather cushions, in typical Brazilian Dee...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Brutalist Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Rosewood