Jean Gillon bench with magazine rack Italma Brazil 1965

Jean Gillon

Jean Gillon
Romania 1919 – Brazil 2007
Designer, artist

Extremely rare ‘banco revisteiro’ designed by Jean Gillon and manufactured by Italma Woodart in Brazil in 1965. Beautiful slat bench made from solid rosewood with its red/brown warm colour hue. What’s really nice is the magazine rack integrated in the structure where Gillon designed an extra layer consisting of a rosewood square where the leather sling is held in. This square sits slightly higher than the seat but with the front of the cushions its even. This gives a nice visual effect because now everything is balanced. The leather goes through the wood and is held by small wooden pins keeping it in place. The padded cushions on this bench are made from cowhide and are still in original condition. The combination of materials and colours is amazing and the condition of the whole is wonderful. Another detail are the pointy legs, these give the bench an extra light appearance and is typical for Gillon’s design style. The bench is marked on the inside of the frame with the Woodart sticker.

Literature; Brazilian Modern Design Alberto Vicente Marcelo Vasconcellos 2017, page 341

Jean Gillon, originally from Romania and later a naturalized Brazilian, gained prominence as an architect-designer through his company Italma WoodArt. In the 1960s and 1970s, he crafted furniture collections using Brazilian rosewood. Gillon’s early years involved living in various European cities, and after studying arts in Iași, he moved to Paris, where he engaged in cartooning and set design. His architectural studies took him to Vienna and later London, where he became a visiting lecturer.

In 1956, Gillon and his wife Edith relocated to São Paulo, drawn by the vibrant Brazilian architecture scene. Initially focusing on architecture, Gillon shifted to furniture design in 1961, founding Fábrica de Móveis Cidam, later known as Italma WoodArt. By the mid-1960s, his WoodArt designs, especially lounge chairs and sofas made of rosewood and Brazilian leather, gained popularity in Brazil. In 1964, Gillon expanded globally, exporting his products to twenty-two countries. One of Gillon’s notable designs was the Jangada Chair (1968), a lounge chair and ottoman inspired by a traditional Brazilian fishing boat. Its unique design garnered global acclaim and continued to receive awards long after its production.