Jean Gillon For Probel Yellow Leather Lounge Chair & Coffee/Side Table Brazilian Mid Century Vintage Retro MCM

New Stock ✅

Jean Gillon For Probel Yellow Leather Lounge Chair & Coffee/Side Table Brazilian Mid Century Vintage Retro MCM

A masterpiece of Brazilian modernist design.

This mid century lounge chair by Jean Gillon exemplifies the designer's unparalleled ability to blend robust materials with refined aesthetics.

Crafted in the 1960s, this chair epitomise the luxurious yet functional approach that defines Brazilian modernist design, for which Jean Gillon is renowned for.

Constructed from solid hardwood, this lounge chair showcase the rich, dark tones and intricate grain patterns that are hallmarks of this luxurious material. The sturdy frames are characterized by their substantial, block-like construction, which provides a striking contrast to the plush, inviting cushions. Designed to offer maximum comfort, the generously padded seats and backs are upholstered in a soft, neutral beige suede fabric. The yellow leather not only complements the dark wood but also adds a touch of understated elegance to the overall design. One of the standout features of these lounge chairs is the unique joinery and detailing. The frames are assembled using prominent, visible dowels and bolts, which not only secure the structure but also serve as decorative elements. This approach to joinery is a signature of Gillon’s work, reflecting a mid century modernist emphasis on honesty in materials and construction techniques. A side view of the chairs reveals their thoughtful ergonomic design. The backrest is angled to provide optimal support, while the seat depth ensures a comfortable lounging experience. The wide armrests are perfectly positioned to offer support while enhancing the chairs’ robust visual appeal.

This chair also comes with a matching side coffee table.

Remnants of the blue and yellow maker's label for Probel of Sao Paulo, Brazil can be found on the back of the cushions and under the table.

Embrace the legacy of Jean Gillon and the rich heritage of Brazilian mid century design with this exquisite lounge chair.

Lounge Chair Dimensions
Height - 84cm
Width - 97cm
Depth - 90cm

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-centuryfurniture 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.

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Local delivery can be free depending on distance. National and international delivery is available at an extra cost which we can organise on your behalf.

Collection in person is welcome. We are West of Cambridge in Bourn CB23.

Please message before purchasing to confirm delivery costs.

Please note that vintage furniture may have some slight imperfections, which is to be expected in keeping with its age, as we do not offer returns on items sold.