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.
Short Willy Guhl Off Kilter Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare short asymmetrical planter by Swiss designer Willy Guhl, featuring a bold modernist silhouette. A striking sculptural piece that brings architectural character to indoor or outd...
Cement
Willy Guhl Large Table Lamp
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Willy Guhl table lamp in varying patina New linen shade Pairs available.
Cement
$1,080Sale Price|20% Off
Large 21.65" Diam. 11.6" Tall Tapered Concrete W. Guhl Eternit Planter A+ Patina
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Basel, BS
One conical concrete planter created by Willy Guhl for Eternit. We currently have three available, sold individually, but we can arrange combined shipping if you would like to purcha...
Concrete
$1,800 / item
Willy Guhl Mirror
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Willy Guhl mirror with fantastic patina'd thick signature cement frame and new mirror 2 sizes available / multiple quantities.
Cement
Willy Guhl Concrete Urn, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete urn by Willy Guhl. Rare model. In original grey concrete patina. Urn has a delicate cement ridge around the mouth as well as around the widest part of the jar giving it dept...
Concrete
Short Willy Guhl Off Kilter Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Asymmetrical planter by Swiss designer Willy Guhl, featuring a rare and bold modernist design. Its sculptural form and strong silhouette make it a standout piece for any garden or ar...
Cement
$2,800 / item
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 ...
Cement
Willy Guhl Petite Cube Planter, 1970s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Petite cube planter by Willy Guhl. Original grey concrete color with micro herringbone design on the sides. Great scale. Very good vintage condition. Only one available.
Cement
Mid-Century Modern Conical Shaped Planter by Willy Guhl for Eternit
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
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...
Cement
Midcentury Swiss Willy Guhl Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Wichita, KS
A midcentury modern Swiss planter by Willy Guhl. Beautiful patina. There are no drainage holes. Willy Guhl (1915-2004) was born in Stein Am Rhein, Switzerland. Guhl was trained a...
Cement
Willy Guhl Handkerchief / Elephant Ear Sculptural Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Atlanta, GA
Frequently called the "Mouchoir", "Handkerchief" or "Elephant Ear" planter. An undulating mid-century masterpiece that mimics a square piece of soft fabric draped over an invisible c...
Concrete
$28,000
Willy Guhl Cube Bookcase
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Unique set of tangerine orange painted Willy Guhl cubes Great scale and function Perfect for retail store - or a pop of color in any room Produced in 1960's Switzerland by Eternit...
Concrete
Monumental Willy Guhl Concrete Vase, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Spectacular concrete vase by Willy Guhl. Extremely rare model. Slightly tapered neck with pronounced lip spout. Made of fiber cement. Decades of patina, moss and paint. Colors vary f...
Cement
$510Sale Price / item|51% Off
Willy Guhl for Eternit Large Rectangle Concrete Outdoor Planter, 1968, Signed
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This designer on-trend architectural rectangular concrete planter is by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, crafted in 1968 Switzerlan...
Concrete
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
$2,879 / set
Willy Guhl Modular Concrete Bookcase, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Balen, BE
A set of 4 sculptural concrete bookcase elements by Swiss architect Willy Guhl, produced in Switzerland in the 1960s by Eternit. The cubes can be arranged in various ways and is a wo...
Concrete, Other
Rare Willy Guhl Biomorphic Pond for Eternit Switzerland, circa 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredibly rare biomorphic pond designed by Swiss Neo-functionalist and Industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit in Switzerland, circa 1960s. Sculpted from Guhl’s typical fib...
Cement
Pair of 1960s Willy Guhl Vase Shaped Planters - Jardinieres
By Willy Guhl
Located in København, København
A rare pair of Willy Guhl vase shaped fiber cement planters with great weathered patina.
Concrete
Pair of Willy Guhl Eternite ball armchairs from the 60s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Pair of “Ball and ball” model garden armchairs by Swiss designer Willy Ghul from the 60s, published by Eternit. Cellular concrete structure painted orange (...
Cement
$480Sale Price|49% 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 rectangular concrete planter is by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, crafted circa 1968 Switzer...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Chalice Shaped Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique concrete planters by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Planter in the shape of a chalice. Especially unique in that the base matches the top with pointed facets. Great vintage condi...
Concrete
$540Sale Price / item|53% Off
Willy Guhl for Eternit Large Rectangle Concrete Outdoor Planter, 1970s, Signed
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This designer on-trend architectural 25.75" long rectangular concrete planter is by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, crafted in the 1970s Switzerland and signed and dated underneath. This special low-profile and rare long sized rectangle-shaped concrete planter has a patinated natural exterior finish and organic aging over decades of UK climate. Excellent planter size for a variety of various uses such as succulents, plants, weeping grass with the planter on a Stand, balcony privacy hedge, or any other outdoor decorative use. Consider using this Willy Guhl Concrete Planter Pot...
Concrete
$1,000Sale Price|20% Off
Willy Guhl Conical Planter - Eternit AG, Switzerland #10
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Bern, BE
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
Willy Guhl Large Eternit Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Long Island City, NY
A wonderfully large circular planter by Swiss designer Willy Guhl in a highly durable fiber cement. We love the way his planters age, and think they can be used with equal effectiven...
Cement
Willy Guhl 31" Concrete Bowl Planter, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredible cast concrete saucer planter made in Switzerland, 1960s. Vintage piece with great modern form by Willy Guhl, perfect for indoor or outdoor use. Saucer concrete bowl rests ...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Concrete Cone Flower Pot, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete cone flower pot by Swiss architect and industrial designer Willy Guhl. Crafted from a durable, fiber-reinforced concrete composite (Eternit), this tapered vessel features a ...
Concrete
Unusually large Willy Guhl planter for Eternit. Ca 1960s Switzerland.
By Willy Guhl
Located in Bozeman, MT
Unusually large Willy Guhl planter for Eternit. Ca 1960s Switzerland.
Cement
$1,287
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....
Cement
$950Sale Price|25% Off
Willy Guhl Conical Planter - Eternit AG, Switzerland #5
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Bern, BE
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
20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Cement Garden Planter by Willy Guhl
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sculptural, large Mid-Century modern Swiss biomorphic garden planter by Willy Guhl and Eternit, in a light weight cement. This sculptural vintage garden ornament has been fiber-rei...
Cement
Willy Guhl Eternit Planters, Switzerland, 1960s
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Antwerp, BE
Brutalist and minimalist planters, Willy Guhl, Switzerland, 1960s 3 similar size rectangular planters are available + 1 larger (see other listings) Willy Guhl was a pioneering Swis...
Concrete
Rare Willy Guhl for Eternit Molar Shape Planter
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Chicago, IL
Very rare edition from Willy Guhl for Eternit. The configuration has become know as the “Molar” or” tooth” planter because of its three footed design. It's the edition « Eternit AG/E...
Concrete
$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
$1,638
Planter, Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Copenhagen K, DK
Elegant outdoor pot/jardiniere, in an exceptionally rare and sought after version, by the legendary Swiss designer Willy Guhl. Formed in a charming jar des...
Cement
$1,080Sale Price|20% Off
Large 22" Diam. 11.6" Tall Tapered Concrete W. Guhl Eternit Planter A+ Patina
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Basel, BS
One conical concrete planter created by Willy Guhl for Eternit. We currently have three available, sold individually, but we can arrange combined shipping if you would like to purcha...
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
Midcentury Swiss Willy Guhl Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Wichita, KS
A midcentury modern Swiss planter by Willy Guhl. Beautiful patina. There are no drainage holes. Willy Guhl (1915-2004) was born in Stein Am Rhein, Switzerland. Guhl was trained a...
Cement
Willy Guhl Adjustable Concrete Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Monumental round planter by Swiss designer Willy Guhl for Eternit, showcasing a magnificent patina. Elevated on its original concrete stand, it creates a commanding sculptural presen...
Cement
Vintage Set of Six Willy Guhl Bowl Planters, Fiber-Cement, Circa 1950
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
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
Mid-Century Modern Elephant Ear Planter by Willy Guhl, Swiss, 1950s
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage, sculptural Mid-Century modern Swiss Handkerchief or Elephant Ear garden planter by Willy Guhl and Eternit in a light weight cement, reinforced with fiber, in good conditio...
Cement
Pair of Yellow Willy Guhl Sculptural Concrete Chairs, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare set of sculptural concrete chairs by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Faceted square chairs with great lines and proportions. Perfect indoors or outside. Fantastic coloring to chairs lik...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Concrete Cone Flower Pot, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An iconic garden vessel by Willy Guhl, celebrated for its restrained form and enduring materiality. Constructed from fiber cement, this planter has an amazing patina and coloring. It...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Round Pedestal Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredibly rare 1960s pedestal planter by Willy Guhl. Sturdy yet lightweight, the planters are sculpted from fiber cement with a hollow interior. Oval-shaped opening and base with a ...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Circular Concrete Mirror, 1960s Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A substantial round mirror built from a Willy Guhl for Eternit concrete element. Eternit was the manufacturer behind Guhl's celebrated fiber-cement designs, and this piece carries th...
Concrete
$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. A variety of patina Great vintage condition. 3 available as shown in this listing. Priced in...
Concrete
$6,000
Willy Guhl Loop Chair
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The iconic Willy Guhl Loop Chair, which is featured in the MoMA, is a sculptural lounge chair in fiberglass, distinguished by a richly weathered ...
Fiberglass
$5,500 / item
Rare Willy Guhl Dog House
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Massive cement dog kennel by Swiss designer Willy Guhl. Structurally very solid. Fantastic sculpture for the home, inside or out. Very rare Willy Guhl item....
Cement
Monumental Willy Guhl Hand-Cast Cement Bowl Planter – Mid-Century Modern Swiss
By Willy Guhl
Located in West Hollywood, CA
An iconic and generously scaled Willy Guhl concrete bowl planter, crafted in Switzerland circa mid-20th century. Designed by the celebrated Swiss neo-functionalist Willy Guhl and pro...
Cement
$510Sale Price / item|53% Off
Willy Guhl for Eternit Large Rectangle Window / Balcony Concrete Planter, Signed
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
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 in the 1960s and 1970s Switzerland and signed and dated underneath, circa 1968. This special low-profile and rare long sized rectangle-shaped concrete planter has a patinated natural exterior finish and organic aging over decades of UK climate. Excellent planter size for a variety of various uses such as succulents, plants, weeping grass with the planter on a stand, window or balcony privacy hedge, or any other outdoor decorative use. Consider using this Willy Guhl Concrete Planter Pot in a Architectural, Postmodern, Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian Modern or Danish modern garden, yard or penthouse apartment balcony but could also look fantastic in a Contemporary or Zen / Minimalism setting. Also consider mixing it up in a Traditional, Transitional, Classical or Art Deco space with a splash of juxtaposition. Would also be an apt choice in a commercial project such as an outdoor hotel lobby lounge or members club, creative design studio or high-rise executive office balcony. MEASUREMENTS: H 6.875" x W 23.5" x D 6.875" CONDITION: Sturdy and structurally sound. Has beautiful antiquing and patina throughout from decades of organic aging which can include minor chipping, stains or other blemishes however this lightly distressed look is common, expected and desirable for these early production originals. Some examples may display light...
Concrete
Set of 3 Willy Guhl Concrete Table Lamps, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic and rare concrete lamps by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Circular cutouts allow light through and add to the design. Newly wired with one socket inside each with on/off switch on...
Concrete
$1,300 / item
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. ...
Concrete
Square Willy Guhl Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Planters by Swiss designer Willy Guhl for Eternit, showcasing subtle variations in weathered surface and form. The timeless, utilitarian beauty makes them ideal for indoor or outdoor...
Cement
Original Loop chair by Willy Guhl for Eternit
By Willy Guhl
Located in London, England
Original Loop chair by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Dated from the 60’s this piece, features a rare cleaned patina.
Concrete
Willy Guhl Diabolo Garden Planter, Mid-Century Modern Fiber Cement, Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
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
$1,080Sale Price|20% Off
Large 21.65" Diam. 11.6" Tall Tapered Concrete W. Guhl Eternit Planter A+ Patina
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Basel, BS
One conical concrete planter created by Willy Guhl for Eternit. We currently have three available, sold individually, but we can arrange combined shipping if you would like to purcha...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Planters Set of 2 for Eternit, Mid-Century Modern Clam Shell Design
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
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
1960s Willy Guhl Concrete Urn Planter
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete urn by Willy Guhl. Rare model. Excellent cream, pastel yellow and grey patina. Urn has a delicate cement ridge around the mouth giving it a beautiful minimalist design with ...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Rectangular Concrete Mirror, 1960s Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A substantial rectangular wall mirror in Willy Guhl's signature cast concrete, with a chunky rolled edge and softly rounded corners. The concrete frame has a naturally mottled, weath...
Concrete
Pair of Triangular Planters by Willy Guhl, 1960s, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare pair of 1960’s triangular concrete planters designed by Swiss neo-functionalist and industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit in Switzerland. Each multifaceted planter...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Concrete Cone Flower Pot, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking planter by Swiss designer Willy Guhl, featuring the iconic sculptural silhouette that made his mid-century garden designs so enduring. Crafted from fiber cement (Eternit),...
Concrete