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.
Set of 5 SPACE-AGE Concrete BOOKCASES by WILLY GUHL for ETERNIT, Swiss 1970
By Willy Guhl
Located in PARIS, FR
A set of 5 (on a total of 20 identical pieces!!!) modular concrete bookcases, Modernist, Free Form, Brutalist, rectangular loop cases with rounded edges, with a great grey patina wit...
Concrete
$1,433Sale Price|20% Off
Willy Guhl Eternit Cement Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Labrit, Landes
Sculptural planter designed by Willy Guhl, a famous Swiss designer and then edited by Eternit in 1950. In the 1950s, marked by designers' growing interest in innovative materials, Wi...
Cement
$17,600Sale Price / set|44% Off
Willy Guhl 46 Piece Modular Concrete Cube Bookcase, 1978 Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in grand Lancy, CH
Stunning monumental 46 piece concrete bookcase by Willy Guhl. Made up of 2 different sized hand-made concrete cubes.36 big size and 10 small size, Completely modular and able to be ...
Concrete
$6,000 / set
Pair of Willy Guhl Loop Chairs, Switzerland 2010
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Meet the chairs that bend, but never break the rules of design. Willy Guhl’s iconic Loop Chairs, offered here as a striking pair, are formed from continuous ribbons of sculptural cem...
Cement
Vintage Willy Guhl Handkerchief Planter, Swiss Cement, Circa 1950-1960
By Willy Guhl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A large, sculptural vintage Mid-Century modern Swiss Handkerchief or Elephant Ear planter designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Produced in a light weight reinforced cement, in good co...
Cement
Rectangular Planter by Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland, 1950s
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Willy Guhl designed for Eternit, Switzerland. These planters are made from fiberated cement that is lightweight, strong and durable in all climates. The typical signs of use an...
Cement
Vintage Swiss Garden Trough by Willy Guhl for Eternit, Circa 1950
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A large, vintage Mid-Century modern Swiss garden trough made of hand crafted light weight cement designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit, in good condition. This single rectangular sink o...
Cement
Willy Guhl Cauldron Planters by Eternit, Vintage Swiss Design, 1950s
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of vintage Willy Guhl Cauldron-shaped planters elevated of short three legs and two lateral handles, in good condition. Each of the Swiss Eternit garden planters are created i...
Cement
$708Sale Price|25% Off
Mid Century Eternit Sandbox (Sandkasten' by Willy Guhl, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Bern, CH
Mid century minimalist concrete Sandbox planter by prominent Swiss interior architect and furniture designer, Willy Guhl (* 6. Juli 1915 in Stein am Rhein; † 4. Oktober 2004 in Hemis...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Monumental Chalice Style Concrete Planter 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Meer, VAN
Willy Guhl Monumental Chalice Style Concrete Planter, Switzerland, 1960s. This is a monumental mid century concrete planter by Willy Guhl. This chalice like design is one of his bes...
Concrete
$2,144Sale Price|20% Off
Willy Guhl Planter, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Čelinac, BA
Concrite planter by swiss architect Willy Guhl 1960s.
Concrete
$3,000 / item
Willy Guhl Loop Chair, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Meet the chair that bends but never breaks the rules of design. Willy Guhl’s iconic Loop Chair is a single, continuous ribbon of sculptural cement. Its signature shape creates a play...
Cement
$6,000 / set
Pair of Willy Guhl Loop Chairs, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Meet the chairs that bend, but never break the rules of design. Willy Guhl’s iconic Loop Chairs, offered here as a striking pair, are formed from continuous ribbons of sculptural cem...
Cement
Diabolo Willy Guhl planter in ethernite from the 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
"Diabolo" planter by Swiss designer Willy Guhl, produced by Eternite in the 1970s. Fiber-cement structure. In beautiful vintage condition with a lovely patina that we have chosen to ...
Cement
Willy Guhl Diabolo Garden Planter, Mid-Century Modern Fiber Cement, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This exceptional mid-century modern garden planter is an authentic example of the iconic diabolo form designed by renowned Swiss designer Willy Guhl, one of the most influential figu...
Cement
1950s Willy Guhl "Vasque" Cement Planter for Eternit
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1950s "Vasque" cement planter designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Planter has a large wide bowl with pedestal base. In original condition with visible wear consistent with its age an...
Cement
Willy Guhl Wide Diablo Planter by Eternit, Mid-Century Concrete
By Willy Guhl
Located in Wichita, KS
Willy Guhl Diablo Planter - After opening his first design studio in 1939 at the age of 24, Swiss-born Willy Guhl (1915-2004) went on to become a leading industrial inventor, educato...
Concrete
$1,950 / item
1960's Willy Guhl Clam Shell Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredible cast concrete clam shell planter made in Switzerland, 1960's. Vintage piece with great modern form by Willy Guhl, perfect for indoor or ...
Concrete
$17,432 / set
Willy GUHL - pair of loop chair
By Willy Guhl
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Willy Guhl (1915–2004) Loop Chairs, 1968 Chaises sculpturales formées de rubans continus de ciment moulé, incarnant la silhouette fluide et sans rupture emblématique de Willy Guhl. ...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Modular Concrete Table, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Add a brutalist flare to your interior with this piece by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. A sculptural concrete rectangle with a hollow interior and curved edges, this object is incredib...
Concrete
Willy Guhl MONUMENTAL Concrete Planter - Eternit AG, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Bern, CH
Monumental concrete flower pot by Swiss designer, Willy Guhl. 1950's design. Solid concrete made in Switzerland. Produced by Eternit AG. Tapered structure with a ribbed upper secti...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Concrete Cube Side Table, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Add a brutalist flare to your interior with this piece by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. A sculptural concrete cube with a hollow interior and curved edges, this object would make for a...
Concrete
$1,900Sale Price|34% Off
Willy Guhl for Eternit 'Diablo' Concrete Hourglass Planter, c 1968
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredibly gorgeous 31" tall and 18" diameter 'Diablo' concrete spindel planters by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, circa 1968, Switzerland. This sculptural hourglass shaped concrete planter has a grey exterior finish. The price is for a single Willy Guhl planter, we have the darker grey one showing in the main photo available. Some of the other ones have sold but contact us if you are looking for more Willy Guhl pots and planters. We have a large collection of Willy Guhl for Eternit pots, planters, garden objects, jardinières, and patio furniture. We always have inventory in Diablo's, Tilted and Cone Planters, box and rectangular Guhl...
Concrete
20th Century Swiss Pair of Tall Conical Shaped Planters by Willy Guhl & Eternit
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of vintage late Mid-Century modern Swiss garden planters designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit, in good condition. The tall conical shaped garden ornaments are made of light weig...
Cement
Willy Guhl Conical Planter - Eternit AG, Switzerland #10
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Bern, CH
Original Willy Guhl Planter. Designed in 1951 and produced by Eternit SA, Switzerland. Designer: Willy Guhl 1951, CH Manufacturer: Eternit SA, CH Measurements: Height: 37 cm Dia...
Concrete
Pair of Willy Guhl 'Loop' Garden Chairs Eternit Switzerland 1954
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Iconic pair of Loop Chairs and Table by Swiss neo-functionalist and industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland, 1954 A mid-century classic like no other, the Loop...
Cement
$3,000 / item
Willy Guhl Chalice Shaped Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique concrete planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Planter in the shape of a chalice. Gorgeous patinas and lichen on these planters. Great vintage condition. 3 available as shown...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Planters Set of 2 for Eternit, Mid-Century Modern Clam Shell Design
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This striking pair of sculptural planters was designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit in the mid-20th century. Crafted from fiber cement, these biomorphic planters feature an organic, und...
Cement
$2,500 / item
Willy Guhl Concrete Vase, 1969, Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
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...
Concrete
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...
Concrete
$1,600 / item
Willy Guhl New Production Spindel Hourglass Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Massive hourglass planters by Swiss designer Willy Guhl. Newly produced. Largest size made by Willy Guhl. Handmade in the same factories as the vintage planters. Made of thin fibrous...
Cement
$3,500 / item
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...
Concrete
$1,033 / item
Vintage planter by Willy Guhl for Eternit editions
By Willy Guhl
Located in AIGNAN, FR
Inclined diabolo planter designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit editions in the 1960s. Planter with an avant-garde design and conception, it does not lack character and modernity. It ...
Cement
20th Century Swiss Vintage Biomorphic Garden Planter by Willy Guhl & Eternit
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A large, vintage Mid-Century modern Swiss biomorphic garden planter made of hand crafted light weight cement designed by Willy Guhl and produced by Eternit, in good condition. This s...
Cement
Set of Black Lacquer and Cane 4 No.3105 “Bankstuhl” Chairs by Willy Guhl, 1959
By Stendig Co., Willy Guhl
Located in London, GB
A set of 4 black lacquered “Bankstuhl” Chairs designed by Swiss designer, Willy Guhl in 1959. This set of four dining chairs are emblematic of one of Willy Guhl's personal aphorism...
Cane, Wood, Lacquer
20th Century Swiss Pair of Modern Cement Hankerchief Planters by Willy Guhl
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of vintage Mid-Century modern Swiss Hankerchief or Elephant Ear planters designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit, in good condition. These sculptural large garden planters are part...
Cement
Willy Guhl Loop Chairs and Table Set, 1960s, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Ludwig Walser, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful pair of concrete 'loop' chairs by Willy Guhl with a table/stool by Ludwig Walser. A beautiful pastel rouge color on one chair and a pastel violet on the other with the tabl...
Cement
$1,650 / item
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 ...
Cement
Willy Guhl 31" Adjustable 2-Piece Concrete Bowl Planters, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic cement planters by Swiss designer Willy Guhl for Eternit. Pedestal base with massive bowl that sits on top. Bowl can sit flat or angled in a mul...
Cement
$16,000 / set
Willy Guhl Concrete Loop Chairs, 1960s Switzerland
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. Guhl watched as the Eternit fiber cement panels were fabricated with a mac...
Cement
$2,000 / item
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...
Cement
20th Century Swiss Set of Six Vintage Bowl Planters on a Iron Base by Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A set of six vintage Mid-Century modern saucer planters designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit, in good condition. Hand crafted from light weight fiber-cement, these iconic garden bowls ...
Cement, Metal, Iron
$8,800 / item
Willy Guhl Pod Chair
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rare pod chairs by Willy Guhl Great sculptural form with patina'd concrete Sold separately - matching pair available
Cement
Pair of diabolos planters by Willy Guhl from the 60s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Pairs of “Diabolo” planters by Swiss designer Willy Guhl, produced by Eternite in the 1970s. Fiber cement structure, original white paint. Beautiful vintage condition, with a nice pa...
Cement
20th Century Swiss Modern Cement Biomorphic Garden Planter by Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sculptural, Mid-Century modern Swiss biomorphic garden planter by Willy Guhl in a light weight cement, in good condition. This vintage Eternit garden ornament has been fiber-reinfo...
Cement
Large Willy Guhl Hourglass Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Wonderful concrete hourglass planters by the Swiss Architect, Willy Guhl. Great age, patina and coloring. Iconic sculptural planter or garden object. Listing is for a 35.5"-37"...
Concrete
$2,400 / item
Willy Guhl Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Willy Guhl "Diablo" shaped concrete pots. Multiple sizes and quantities of each available. This listing is for 31.5" H x 17.75.
Concrete
Rare Willy Guhl Fiber Cement Rectangular Planter with Aged Patina
By Willy Guhl
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A rare and authentic Willy Guhl rectangular planter, crafted from durable Eternit fiber cement, showcasing a beautifully weathered patina with layers of chipping green, white, and gr...
Cement
Cornflower Blue Willy Guhl 'Marmite Cauldron' Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Hastings, GB
Willy Guhl 'Marmite' cauldron, Swiss from the 1960's. Incredible time worn blue paint, In stunning original condition. A gorgeous and versatile decorators piece. Height 46 c...
Cement
20th Century Swiss Vintage Eternit Biomorphic Garden Planter by Willy Guhl
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sculptural biomorphic garden planter by Willy Guhl and Eternit, in a light weight cement, in good condition. This sculptural vintage garden ornament has been fiber-reinforced. Drai...
Cement
$1,950 / item
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...
Concrete, Cement
$950Sale Price|25% Off
Willy Guhl Conical Planter - Eternit AG, Switzerland #5
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Bern, CH
Monumental concrete planter by Swiss furniture designer, Willy Guhl. Solid concrete construction. Made in Switzerland 1960 - 1970. Produced by Eternit AG. Conical form with drainage...
Concrete
$535Sale Price / item|51% Off
Willy Guhl for Eternit Rectangle Concrete Outdoor Handle Planter, circa 1968
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This designer on-trend architectural 23.5" long rectangular concrete planter is by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, crafted circa 1...
Concrete
$1,562 / item
Small pair of diabolo garden planters Willy Guhl 60s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Set of two "Diabolo" planters by Swiss designer Willy Guhl, produced by Eternite in the 1970s. Fiber cement structure, original gray paint. Beautiful vintage condition, with a nice p...
Cement
$10,500
Willy Guhl Concrete Chair
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Willy Guhl chair with cubed angular shape and wide seat. Fantastic aged patina with natural grown moss Imperfectly perfect for any outside garden
Concrete, Cement
$17,000 / set
Willy Guhl Loop Chairs
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Pair of Willy Guhl "Loop" chairs with great patina. Sold as a pair of 2 chairs - 2 sets available Original Eternit production - Switzerland, circa 1950s.
Cement
Authentic Willy Guhl Mid-Century Modern Hourglass/Diabolo Concrete Planter
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Designed by Swiss modernist Willy Guhl for Eternit in the mid-20th century, this iconic “Diabolo” planter has become a timeless symbol of sculptural outdoor design. Its elegant hourg...
Concrete
$700 / item
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...
Cement
$3,320Sale Price|20% Off
Willy Guhl barbecue dinning table
By Willy Guhl
Located in grand Lancy, CH
very rare concrete Willy Guhl barbecue dinning table , the center of the table , metal part is missing
Concrete
Willy Guhl Tilted Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Tilted concrete planters by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Wonderful patina and coloring to each planter. Multiple sizes / shapes available.
Concrete