Willy Guhl for Eternit, Enormous Midcentury Saucer Planter, Garden Element
About the Item
- Creator:Eternit (Manufacturer),Willy Guhl (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 10.63 in (27 cm)Diameter: 55.12 in (140 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950s-1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Schagen, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1807310346681
Willy Guhl
Decades prior to the mass popularity of neo-industrial cement floors and furniture taking shape, there was Willy Guhl. The Swiss creative is considered one of the first “industrial” designers in his home country. He pioneered a rugged, organic style of modern furniture and decor — stylish planters, shapely seating and lots more — that remains widely coveted by many today.
Guhl was born in 1915 in Stein am Rhein and worked as a carpenter before beginning studies at the Zurich School of Applied Arts (known today as the Zurich University of the Arts), where he would go on to teach for nearly 40 years.
While Guhl is well-known for his range of provocative garden elements as well as his patio and outdoor furniture, today’s legion of mid-century modern enthusiasts are likely familiar with the designer’s iconic Loop chair (introduced in 1954). For this sculptural seat and other furnishings, Guhl tended toward industrial materials, which he bent and shaped into organic forms for a striking juxtaposition. Much of his work is crafted from either concrete or Eternit, a mixture of cement and asbestos developed by the Belgian company Etex, which, in the 1950s, commissioned Guhl and his students at the School of Applied Arts to conceive planters in the material. The resulting vessels — some hourglass-shaped, some in the form of handkerchiefs, all suitable for indoors or exteriors — remain some of Guhl’s most collectible pieces.
Guhl’s affiliation with the Swiss “neo-functional” movement centered on the idea of simplifying design without sacrificing form. According to Guhl, his mission was “achieving the most with the minimum of effort.”
In addition to his work as a designer, Guhl left his mark on subsequent creatives through his 39-year tenure at his alma mater, where he was instructor to the likes of Robert Haussmann, Kurt Thut and Bruno Rey. Modern-day shoppers at IKEA owe Guhl a debt of gratitude too. He was an early advocate of flat-pack furniture, championing its ability to make good design more widely accessible.
At its core, though, Guhl’s work was inherently human-centric: “At the center of my efforts, I put people and their living requirements,” he once said. “My products must be useful to people.” Guhl died in 2004 at the age of 89.
Find a range of vintage Willy Guhl furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Noord Scharwoude, Netherlands
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Hollywood Regency Wall Lamp, Flower, Attributed to Willy Daro for Massive, 1980sBy Willy Daro, Massive LightingLocated in Schagen, NLWonderful gilded metal lamp manufactured in Belgium, circa 1980s. Remains in good condition with minor wear. NOW TEMPORARY DISCOUNT PROMO CODE AVAILABLE, S...Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Hollywood Regency Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMetal
- Joseph Bles, Enormous Religious Oil on Canvas Painting, 19th CenturyBy Joseph BlesLocated in Schagen, NLUncommon scene, painted by the Dutch Painter Joseph Bles! (1825-1875). This large oil on canvas work, was Marouflaged on panel and features a religious scenery. The outgoing process...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Dutch Other Paintings
MaterialsCanvas
- Extremely Rare Midcentury Chair by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1950sBy Theo Ruth, ArtifortLocated in Schagen, NLEarly piece designed by Theo Ruth for Artifort. Features a Black Leatherette Backrest and Orange fabric upholstery upon the seating. Seating can easily be ‘folded’ or disassembled wh...Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Faux Leather, Beech
- Midcentury Danish Design Dining Chairs By T.H. Harlev for Farstrup Mobler.By Farstrup, Thomas HarlevLocated in Schagen, NLVery elegant Danish Design chairs by T.H. Harlev for Farstrup Mobler, ca. 1950s-1960s. The chairs feature a sculptural teak frame with black leatherett...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFaux Leather, Teak
- 1970s, Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Vase / Planter JasbaBy JasbaLocated in Schagen, NLJasba large brown ceramic flower pot with symbols similar to Aztec ones. The planter remains in mint condition.Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
MaterialsCeramic
- Midcentury Set of 10 Gebroeders de Wit chairs, for De Wit Schiedam, Model 2011By Toon de Wit, Gebroeders De WitLocated in Schagen, NLThese (dining) chairs were designed by the two brothers De Wit for de Wit Schiedam in the 1950s. The chairs consists of a polished and coated metal fra...Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Mid-Century Modern Stackable Planter Element by Willy Guhl for EternitBy Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in Doornspijk, NLStackable planter frames designed by Willy Guhl and manufactured by Eternit, Switzerland. These planters can be stacked or used separately. We have 6 on stock.Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsCement
- Midcentury Large Shallow Willy Guhl Planter by EternitBy Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in Baambrugge, NLLarge shallow planter designed by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Manufactured by Eternit AG, who produced all of Guhl's designs. Made from fiber cement, t...Category
Vintage 1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsOther
- Willy Guhl for Eternit, a Mid-Century Modern Concrete Rectangular Garden PlanterBy Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in London, GBWilly Guhl for Eternit, a Mid-Century Modern concrete rectangular garden planter with rectangular concave decoration with opposing triangul...Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- Willy Guhl for Eternit Handkerchief Concrete Planters, 1960sBy Willy Guhl, EternitLocated in New York, NYDesigned by Willy Guhl for Eternit sculptural handkerchief concrete planters or jardinières, Switzerland, 1960s. These exquisite planters are made from weather-resistant fiber cement...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- Willy Guhl for Eternit Handkerchief Concrete Planters, 1960sBy Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in New York, NYDesigned by Willy Guhl for Eternit sculptural handkerchief concrete planters or jardinières, Switzerland, 1960s. These exquisite planters are made from weather-resistant fiber cement...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- Architectural Planter Midcentury Willy Guhl Eternit Plant Pot, 1950sBy Willy Guhl, EternitLocated in Mannheim, DE1950s planter designed by Swiss architects Willy Guhl and Anton Bee in 1951. It is the biggest version of the so called "Spindel" and perfect for terraces or gardens. It is made of s...Category
Vintage 1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete