Willy Guhl Furniture
Swiss, 1915-2004
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.
199
5
1
to
205
205
204
205
41
6
4
199
6
190
9
2
188
9
203
203
128
77
8
203
203
2
2
205
65
48
38
27
Creator: Willy Guhl
Dealer: Merit
Willy Guhl Olive Jar Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete olive jar planter by Willy Guhl with great patina and prominent presence. Simple and elegant design perfect for any garden or patio. Excellent vintage condition. One availab...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Monumental Willy Guhl Concrete Urn, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unusual concrete urn by Willy Guhl. Rare model and size. Excellent white and green patina. Urn has a delicate cement ridge around the mouth as well as around the widest part of the j...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Sculptural Concrete Vase, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning concrete vase by Willy Guhl. Just under three feet tall. Extremely rare model. Made of fiber cement. Decades of patina and moss/ lichen. Colors vary from grey to white and c...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Set of 3 Sculptural Triangular Planters by Willy Guhl, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 3 sculptural standing triangular concrete planters by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Can be placed upside down or right side. up. Each planter has a solid base to balance the wei...
Category
1960s Swiss Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Monumental Willy Guhl Fountain
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Massive and rare concrete fountain by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Fabricated out of three pieces of cement. Large basin on both ends with hollow cylinder conn...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
100 Piece Willy Guhl Modular Concrete Bookcase, 1960s Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning monumental 100 piece concrete bookcase by Willy Guhl. Made up of 4 different sized hand-made concrete cubes. Completely modular and able to be a...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Amoeba Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic cement amoeba bowl by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Great tabletop bowl or planter. Beautiful patina. Very unusual design. Good vintage condition. Wear as shown.
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl Concrete Flower Pot, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Perfect large concrete flower pots by Willy Guhl. Made in Switzerland in the 1960s. Great vintage condition with unique patina on each as shown. Cl...
Category
1960s Swiss Minimalist Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl Flower Pot, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful pink concrete flower pot by Willy Guhl. Made in Switzerland in the 1960s. Great condition. Beautiful and unique coloring and patina. Clas...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Small Willy Guhl Amoeba Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic cement amoeba bowl by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Bright red base and grey top. Very unusual design with beautiful patina. Good vintage condition. Wear as shown.
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl Petite Ridged Planter, 1970s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Petite ridged planters by Willy Guhl. Concrete planters in the shape of a rectangle with an upper rim and ridged sides. Great scale. Very good condition with similar patina on all 3 ...
Category
1970s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl Ridged Bin Planters, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique ridged planters by Willy Guhl in the shape of a trash bin. Indented handles on both sides. Different coloring and patina for each of the three planters available as shown. Fun...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Tall Puzzle Piece Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic sculptural piece by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Tall planters shaped like jigsaw puzzle pieces. One is painted white while the other is in the...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl White Basin Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large concrete planter by Willy Guhl in a cream paint with light patina. Low profile bin with a large diameter and 25" depth. Sturdy and substa...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Concrete Trough Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete trough planters by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. 26 " long. Factory drilled drainage holes. Perfect depth for narrow spaces. Small footed base. ...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Petite Concrete Urn, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Petite concrete urn by Willy Guhl in a beautiful red patina. Urn has a delicate cement ridge around the mouth and two handles right under the upper rim. The body of the jar tapers do...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Concrete Trough Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete trough planters by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Just under 32" long. Factory drilled drainage holes. Perfect depth for narrow spaces. 21 availa...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Concrete Trough Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete trough planters by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Just under 24" long. Factory drilled drainage holes. Perfect depth for narrow spaces. 33 availa...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Goblet Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique concrete planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Planter in the shape of a goblet or drinking cup. Excellent patina and coloring. Great scale. Two available. Priced individuall...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Goblet Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Small cement goblet planters by Swiss designer Willy Guhl. Gorgeous planter for indoors or outside. 3 available with varying color and patina. Priced individually.
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Tooth Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique cement planter by Willy Guhl. Triangular shape with faceted sides. Great piece of sculpture for indoors or outside. 7 available. Priced individually. Very good vintage conditi...
Category
1960s American Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl 24" Quilted Concrete Trough Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete trough planters by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Just under 24" long. Quilted pattern on both sides. Factory drilled drainage holes. Perfect dep...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Massive Willy Guhl Biomorphic Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Massive sculptural biomorphic cement planter by Willy Guhl. Gorgeous planter for indoors or outside. Excellent patina. Multiples available. Priced individually.
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl Concrete Pedestal Planter, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete pedestal planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Made in the 1960s in Switzerland. Factory drilled drainage holes in each planter. Different ...
Category
1960s Swiss Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Concrete Urn, 1960s Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete urn by Willy Guhl. Rare model. Excellent cream and grey patina. Urn has a delicate cement ridge around the mouth as well as around the widest part of the jar giving it depth...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Concrete Trough Planter on Iron Hairpin Stand, 1975 Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare concrete trough planters sitting in fantastic iron hairpin stands by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Trough is 24" long. Incredible natural patina with no paint. Factory drilled dra...
Category
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Large Tilted Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large tilted concrete planters by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Great patina and coloring to each planter. Excellent vintage condition. Great planter and standalone sculpture for indoo...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete, Cement
Willy Guhl Monumental Cone Planter on Stand, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Monumental Willy Guhl cone planter with twisted iron base. Three triangular legs that each come to a point give this base a unique tripod desig...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Concrete Box Planter on Metal Stand, 1970s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare concrete box planter sitting on a sturdy metal stand by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Made in Switzerland in the 1970s. Box is 20.25" long and wide. In...
Category
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete, Metal
Triangular Footed Planters by Willy Guhl, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural triangular concrete planters by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Each planter has a concrete leg at each corner of the planter which allows the planter to float a couple of inc...
Category
1960s Swiss Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
1960s Willy Guhl Concrete Pedestal Cone Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Substantial concrete cone planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Thick cement pedestal base for stability. Heavy and substantial. Unusual shape. Made in t...
Category
1960s Swiss Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Tilted Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tilted concrete "soup-cup" planters by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Great patina and coloring to each planter. Excellent vintage condition. Great planter and standalone sculpture for ...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl Concrete Urn
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete urn by Willy Guhl. Rare model. Excellent pastel yellow and grey patina. Urn has a delicate cement ridge around the mouth as well as around the w...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Olive Jar Planter
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete olive jar planter by Willy Guhl with great patina and prominent presence. Beautiful light patina with white and blue flecks. Simple and eleg...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Concrete Vase, 1969, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic concrete vases by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Great tabletop vase or planter in a stunning natural patina. Very unusual shape. Great indoors or outside. Each pl...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Orange Concrete Bookcase
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique set of painted concrete cubes in a pastel orange by Swiss architect and designer Willy Guhl. Handmade in the early 1960s in Switzerland. Produced by Eternit. Set of 5 cubes in...
Category
1970s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Concrete Vases
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique set of concrete sculptures by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Concrete vases/planters rarely seen. Cool sculptural piece for indoors or outside. Great standalone piece of art. Gre...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl 37" Diabolo Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete diabolo planter by Swiss Designer Willy Guhl. Varying degrees of patina to each planter. Available in multiple sizes and quantities.
*4 avai...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl Large Vertical Handkerchief Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique concrete planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Planter in the shape of vertical handkerchief. Excellent patina and coloring. Great scale. Great vintage condition. Only one av...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Olive Jar Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning concrete olive jar planter by Willy Guhl with great patina and coloring. Amazing depth to the piece due to the layers of yellow, green and b...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl 24" Diabolo Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete diabolo planter by Swiss Designer Willy Guhl. Varying degrees of patina to each planter. Available in multiple sizes and quantities.
*8 avai...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl Concrete Drum Table
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic drum table by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Great scale and unique shape. Suitable for indoor and outdoors. Only one available. New pencil edge glass top. Stunnin...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl Monumental Clam Shell Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural biomorphic cement clam planters by Willy Guhl. In the shape of a clam shell. Gorgeous planter in a monumental scale for indoors or outside. Exc...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Olive Jar Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete olive jar planter by Willy Guhl, with great patina and prominent presence. Simple and elegant design perfect for any garden or patio. Excell...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Vintage Willy Guhl Concrete Loop Chairs
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Iconic pair of concrete loop chairs by Willy Guhl.
This pair of chairs were designed by Willy Guhl in 1954 after Guhl watched as the Eternit pan...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl Box Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great set of box planters by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Classic design with great lines. Fantastic coloring and patina. Perfect scale. Three still available....
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl Clam Shell Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural biomorphic cement clam planters by Willy Guhl. In the shape of a clam shell. Gorgeous planter for indoors or outside. Excellent patina. 3 avail...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Concrete Table Lamp, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning concrete Willy Guhl lamp by Eternit with teak top cover. Concrete made in Swizterland. Newly fitted as a lamp, re-wired with a new custom linen shade and light diffusor on t...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Quilted Concrete Trough Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete trough planters by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Just under 32" long. Factory drilled drainage holes. Perfect depth for narrow spaces. Eternit f...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Monumental Willy Guhl Tripod Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gigantic concrete planters by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Heightened bowl with a three legged base. Teeth ridges along the upper rim. Great patina and condition. Factory markings. Super ...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Scalloped Concrete Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large unusual scalloped concrete planters by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Three rounded edges on all sides. Moss and lichen, with great patina. Two still available in this size. Very ...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Monumental Willy Guhl Fountain
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Massive and rare concrete fountain by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Fabricated out of three pieces of cement. Large basin on both ends with hollow cylinder conn...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Half Moon Wall Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare concrete planters by Willy Guhl with factory drilled holes to hang on the wall. Semi circular front with faceted edges in back. Great vintage condition. 4 available. Priced indi...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl Elephant Ear Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning concrete elephant ear planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Great vintage condition. Two available with different coloring...
Category
1960s American Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl Petite Box Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great sculptural box planters by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Made of fiber cement. Two with a lot of patina, and two on the cleaner side. Great petite planters. Perfect size. 4 available...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Square Flower Pot
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Square concrete planter by Willy Guhl. Made in Switzerland in the 1960s. Great condition. Original coloring and patina. Classic square planter...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl Petite Trough Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete trough planters by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Petite size. Just under 16" long. Factory drilled drainage holes. Perfect depth for narrow space...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Swiss Concrete Ball Planters, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete Swiss ball planters in the style of Willy Guhl. Great patina to each planter. Great for indoors or outside. Priced individually.
Other sizes av...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Willy Guhl furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of stone and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Willy Guhl furniture, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 465 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 5 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Willy Guhl were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Eternit, Anton Bee, and Ludwig Walser. Prices for Willy Guhl furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $425 and can go as high as $145,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,800.
Creators Similar to Willy Guhl
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Willy Guhl Furniture
Willy Guhl Planters and Jardinieres
Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
Willy Guhl Vases and Vessels
Willy Guhl Patio and Garden Furniture
Willy Guhl Urns
Willy Guhl Chairs
Willy Guhl Bowls and Baskets
Willy Guhl Table Lamps
Willy Guhl Bookcases
Willy Guhl Architectural Elements
Willy Guhl Wall Mirrors
Willy Guhl Lounge Chairs