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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.

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Color:  Gray
Creator: Willy Guhl
Willy Guhl Loop Table
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Willy Guhl Loop table is an icon of Swiss modernist furniture design. The Loop Table (also known as the Beach Table) was designed by Swiss in...
Category

Early 2000s Swiss Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Set of New Production Willy Guhl Loop Chairs and Matching Table, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic new production pair of cement chairs with matching table by Swiss designer Willy Guhl for Eternit. One of the most iconic chairs ever designed. Priced as a pair with matchi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl for Eternit Large Handkerchief Elephant Ear Planter with Loss to Edge
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in London, GB
Willy Guhl for Eternit large handkerchief elephant ear concrete planter with loss to edge Loss to one wave of the rim, shown clearly in the images. Will sit snugly against a wall an...
Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Concrete Octagonal Vase
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete vase by Willy Guhl. Made of fiber cement. 8 sided with small base. Great vintage condition. Great oversized vase.
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Midcentury Rare Square Planter by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A rare midcentury large square concrete planter measuring 12" H x 29" W x 39" L by famous Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Excellent patina and coloring to this planter. We ha...
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Conical Planter - Eternit AG, Switzerland #5
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Bern, CH
Conical concrete flower pot by Swiss designer, Willy Guhl. Solid concrete made in Switzerland 1960 - 1970. Produced by Eternit AG. Tapered structure with drainage holes in base. In...
Category

1960s Swiss Minimalist Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Architectural Planter Midcentury Willy Guhl Eternit Plant Pot, 1950s
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Mannheim, DE
1950s 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

1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl for Eternit, a Mid-Century Modern Concrete Rectangular Garden Planter
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in London, GB
Willy Guhl for Eternit, a Mid-Century Modern concrete rectangular garden planter with rectangular concave decoration with opposing triangul...
Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Ridged Trough Planters by Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic rectangular planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Ridge design on all sides. Just under 3.5 feet long. Great lines and clean design. Good vintage condition and...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Pair of Willy Guhl Conical Planters #7&8
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Bern, CH
Pair of minimalist conical concrete flower pot by prominent Swiss designer, Willy Guhl. Solid concrete made in Switzerland 1960 - 1970. Produced by Eternit AG, Switzerland. Tapered s...
Category

Late 20th Century Swiss Minimalist Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Vintage Willy Guhl Concrete Loop Chair, 1970s, Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Malibu, US
Iconic vintage Loop Chair by Swiss neo-functionalist and industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland, circa 1970. A mid-century classic like no other, the Loop Ch...
Category

1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Rare Willy Guhl Modular Planting System, Switzerland 1970s
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Malibu, US
Exceptionally rare modular planting system by Swiss neo-functionalist and industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit in Switzerland. I have yet to see a complete collection av...
Category

1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl Large 'Diablo' Planters, Switzerland 1960s
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Malibu, US
Iconic vintage 'Diablo' Planters by Swiss neo-functionalist and industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland, circa 1970. Made from fibre-cement, these pieces have...
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

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...
Category

1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl for Eternit, Mid-Century Modern Concrete Garden Handkerchief Planter
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in London, GB
Willy Guhl for Eternit, a very rare 21 inch tall Mid-Century Modern sculptural concrete garden Handkerchief elephant ear planter. It looks like a large seed pod and will look very sp...
Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Fiberglass Bench, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Malibu, US
Stunning floating bench designed by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland, circa 1960. Made of reinforced fiberglass and steel tubular frame. Incredible patina to both ...
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Steel

Willy Guhl Fiberglass Bench, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Malibu, US
Stunning floating bench designed by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland, circa 1960. Made of reinforced fiberglass and steel tubular frame. Incredible patina to both ...
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Steel

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...
Category

2010s Swiss Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Cauldron Planter, Willy Guhl, 1960
By Willy Guhl
Located in Copenhagen K, DK
Handsome French garden planter, made of eternite in a gorgeous weathered hue, and designed by Willy Guhl. Cauldron shaped, with side handles, and raised from the ground by three smal...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl for Eternit Large Rectangle Concrete Outdoor Handle Planter
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...
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Planter, Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Copenhagen K, DK
Large and beautiful old garden pot / jardiniere, by the legendary Swiss designer Willy Guhl. A good conical design and with fantastic weathered patina....
Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Mid-Century Modern Flat Planter by Willy Guhl for Eternit
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Doornspijk, NL
This planter is designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit of Switzerland. It is flat and slightly oblong and has a beautiful patina throughout. 1960s. Three available, listed separately.
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Mid-Century Modern Diabolo Shaped Planter bu Willy Guhl for Eternit
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Doornspijk, NL
One of the iconic design of Willy Guhl for Eternit: the diabolo shaped planter. This smaller version has a wonderful patina.
Category

1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Mid-Century Modern Stackable Planter Element by Willy Guhl for Eternit
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Stackable 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

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Mid-Century Modern Flat Planter by Willy Guhl for Eternit
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Doornspijk, NL
This planter is designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit of Switzerland. It is flat and slightly oblong and has a beautiful patina throughout. 1960s. Three available, listed separately.
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Mid-Century Modern Flat Planter by Willy Guhl for Eternit
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Doornspijk, NL
This planter is designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit of Switzerland. It is flat and slightly oblong and has a beautiful patina throughout. 1960s. Three available, listed separately.
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Large Planter in the Shape of Flower Pots by Willy Guhl for Eternit
By Willy Guhl
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Large planter designed by famous Swiss artist, designer and architect Willy Guhl. The planter has the archetypical shape of flower pots, but is much larger. It is 40 cm (15.75 in) hi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern 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

Mid-Century Modern Conical Shaped Planter by Willy Guhl for Eternit
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Large planter designed by famous Swiss artist, designer and architect Willy Guhl. The planter has a conical shape. With its beautiful patina it will make a great statement on your ro...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Willy Ghul planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Willy Guhl planter extra large size edited by Eternit Called Diabolo.
Category

20th Century French Modern Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Mid-Century Modern Large Diablo Planter by Willy Guhl for Eternit
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Diablo-shaped planter designed by Swiss architect and designer Willy Guhl for Eternit. This weather resistant piece combines beautiful organic lines with a wonderful patina. The na...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Massive Willy Guhl Concrete Handkerchief Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Massive concrete handkerchief planter by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Fantastic patina and presence. Great planter or sculpture for the garden...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

2 Small Spindle or Diabolo Planter Designed by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Mouscron, WHT
2 Small spindle or diabolo planter designed by Swiss architect Willy Guhl The price is for one Two are available.
Category

1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl "Biasca" Elephant Ear/ Hourglass Concrete Planter, Switzerland 1954
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in The Hague, NL
"Biasca" Elephant Ear large planter designed by Willy Guhl and Anton Bee and manufactured by Eternit AG, Switzerland 1954. This planter is made of cellulose infused fiber cement. Ve...
Category

1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl Concrete Bowl Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Impressive elevated concrete bowl planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Dome shaped concrete base with a large built in concrete basin on top. Beautifu...
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

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

Willy Guhl, Concrete Pair of Spindle Planters, Eternit, 1960s
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Berlin, DE
Willy Guhl, spindle planters, manufactured by Eternit in the 1960s. Very nice patina, rare lower model with larger diameter!
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Concrete Cone Planter on Iron Stand, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cone planter by Willy Guhl made in the 1960s, in Switzerland. Inverted concrete cone sits comfortably in an iron tripod stand. Great patina and color...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete, Iron

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 Vertical Handkerchief Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique concrete planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Planter in the shape of vertical handkerchief in its original grey concrete patina. Rare design in original condition. The inte...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Loop Chair Set of Six '6' Plus Table
By Willy Guhl
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Set of six (6) Original Willy Guhl loop chairs with side table sold as a period-original set. The Loop Chair was created by the Swiss designer Willy...
Category

1950s Swiss Industrial Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Set of 5 Large Vintage "Diabolo" Jars by Willy Guhl Spindel Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Lyon, FR
Fiber cement structure, original white paint with patina of time on the whole set.
Category

1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl Pod Chairs 'Set'
By Willy Guhl
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
As of the mid-20th century, the work of Willy Guhl was a revolutionary feat of industry and design with a distinct style that transcends decades. True to form and function, Guhl worked with a mixture of cement and asbestos from Eternit. The lightweight material was groundbreaking, uncompromising form and structure with an emphasis on functionality. This set of unique chairs...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Composition

Elephant Ear Handkerchief Planter, Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Copenhagen K, DK
Elegant and large and not least sought after vintage garden planter / jardiniere, known as Elephant Ear Handkerchief and designed by the Swiss ...
Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl Concrete Peanut Planter, 1960s, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Monumental concrete basin planter by Willy Guhl. Handmade in Switzerland in the 1960s. Just under 4 feet in length. handmade in the shape of a peanut. P...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl "Diablo" Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Small and unusual Diablo planter by Willy Guhl for eternit.
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Pair of Willy Guhl Tilted Planters 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Vintage pair of a-symmetrical planters by Swiss Designer, Willy Guhl. Good vintage condition, with some wear and chips along the bottom edges. Marked with numbers inside. This pai...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

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.
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Large Mid-Century Modern Planter Jardiniere by Willy Guhl for Eternit
By Willy Guhl
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Large square planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. The planter is made of moulded cement. Good vintage condition with nice patina.
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern 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. In a beautiful heavy patina from decades in Swiss weather. Urn has a delicate cement ridge around the mouth as w...
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Monumental Goblet Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Monumental concrete goblet planter with an incredible patina. An unusual planter in a massive size. After spending decades in the elements, each goblet has great patina and weatherin...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Loop Chairs and Table Set, 1960s, Switzerland
By Ludwig Walser, Willy Guhl, 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...
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Green Willy Guhl Concrete Urn, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete urn by Willy Guhl. Rare model in a beautiful washed out green patina with layers of finishes worn down over the years. Urn has a delicate cement ridge around the mouth as we...
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern 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

Pair of Concrete Loop Chair Design by Willy Guhl, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in leucate, FR
Two concrete beach or pool lounge chairs. Loop model created by designer Willy Guhl in the 1950s. The Loop chair features a single sheet of sea...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Olive Jar Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
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. Excelle...
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century 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

Pair of Concrete Ball Armchairs, Design by Willy Guhl, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in leucate, FR
Pair of ball armchairs created by designer Willy Guhl in the late 1960s. Sculptural armchairs, organic design reminiscent of a mushroom. Ideal for a ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French 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.

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