A Pair of Large Olive Jars by Willy Guhl, 1960's, Switzerland
About the Item
- Creator:Willy Guhl (Artist)
- Dimensions:Height: 28 in (71.12 cm)Diameter: 24 in (60.96 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:c. 1960's
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:
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: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- A Pair of Quadrifoil Planters by Willy Guhl, 1960's, SwitzerlandBy Willy GuhlLocated in Los Angeles, CAA Pair of Quadrifoil Planters by Willy Guhl, 1960's, Switzerland H 9" x W 16" x D 16" FDV11398 *Wear consistent with age and use.Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- A Collection of Large Concrete Vases by Willy Guhl, 1960's, SwitzerlandBy Willy GuhlLocated in Los Angeles, CAA Collection of Large Concrete Vases by Willy Guhl, 1960's, Switzerland H 20.5" x D 14" FDV11420 *Wear consistent with age and use. Collection ...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- A Collection of Corner Planters by Willy Guhl, 1960's, SwitzerlandBy Willy GuhlLocated in Los Angeles, CAA Collection of Corner Planters by Willy Guhl, 1960's, Switzerland H 14.5-17.5" x W 15.5-16" x D 15-15.75" FDV11400/11511 *Wear consistent with age and use. Collection Consists o...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- A Collection of Concrete Vases by Willy Guhl, 1960's, SwitzerlandBy Willy GuhlLocated in Los Angeles, CAA Collection of Concrete Vases by Willy Guhl, 1960's, Switzerland H 12" x D 15" FDV11432 *Wear consistent with age and use. Collection Consists of 5 Vases in TotalCategory
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- A Collection of Tilted Planters by Willy Guhl, 1960's, SwitzerlandBy Willy GuhlLocated in Los Angeles, CAA Collection of Tilted Planters by Willy Guhl, 1960's, Switzerland Large // H 18.5" x D 25" // FDV11408 Small // H 14.5" x D 25" // FDV11513 *Wear consistent with age and use. Col...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- A Collection of Concrete Marmite Planters by Willy Guhl, 1960's, SwitzerlandBy Willy GuhlLocated in Los Angeles, CAA Collection of Concrete Marmite Planters by Willy Guhl, 1960's, Switzerland H 18" x D 21" FDV11412 *Wear consistent with age and use. Collection Consists of 6 Planters in TotalCategory
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- Willy Guhl Olive Jar Planter, 1960s SwitzerlandBy Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in Los Angeles, CAConcrete olive jar planter by Willy Guhl with great patina and prominent presence. Simple and elegant design perfect for any garden or patio. Excellent patina and vintage condition. ...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- Willy Guhl Olive Jar Planter, 1960s SwitzerlandBy Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in Los Angeles, CAConcrete olive jar planter by Willy Guhl with great patina and prominent presence. Simple and elegant design perfect for any garden or patio. Excelle...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- Willy Guhl Olive Jar Planter, 1960s SwitzerlandBy Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in Los Angeles, CAConcrete 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
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- Willy Guhl Olive Jar Planter, 1960s SwitzerlandBy Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in Los Angeles, CAConcrete olive jar planter by Willy Guhl with great patina and prominent presence. Simple and elegant design perfect for any garden or patio. Excelle...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- Willy Guhl Olive Jar Planter, 1960s SwitzerlandBy Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in Los Angeles, CAConcrete olive jar planter by Willy Guhl in a beautiful brick red color. Simple and elegant design perfect for any garden or patio. Excellent patina and vintage condition. Manufactur...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- Massive Willy Guhl Olive Jar Planter, 1960s SwitzerlandBy Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in Los Angeles, CAOversized concrete olive jar planter by Willy Guhl with great patina and prominent presence. Simple and elegant design perfect for any garden or patio. Excellent patina and vintage c...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete