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.
$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
Vintage Swiss Cone Planters by Willy Guhl, Cement, Mid-Century
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of vintage Mid-Century modern Swiss cone shaped planters made of hand crafted light weight cement designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit, in good condition. These sculptural garde...
Cement
$1,507 / 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
Mid-Century Swiss Willy Guhl Marmite Planter (Two available)
By Willy Guhl
Located in New Orleans, LA
The Willy Guhl Cauldron or Marmite planter is a striking piece of design, created by Swiss designer Willy Guhl in the 1950s. Known for its sculptural form and simple yet elegant appe...
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
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
$888Sale Price|20% Off
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
$708Sale Price|25% Off
Mid Century Eternit Sandbox (Sandkasten) by Willy Guhl, Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
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
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
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
$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
Monumental Willy Guhl Fountain, 1960s Switzerland
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...
Concrete
$9,000 / set
Willy Guhl Fiber Cement Planters (set of 6)
By Willy Guhl
Located in Miami, FL
A rare set of six sculptural planters designed by Swiss industrial designer Willy Guhl and produced by Eternit AG. Crafted from durable fiber cement, these pieces embody Guhl’s minim...
Cement
Willy Guhl, Steel and Concrete Design Bench, Switzerland, circa 1950s
By Willy Guhl
Located in leucate, FR
Mid-century floating bench designed by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Seater concrete monocoque is in good condition and the tubular steel base has been completely restored, sanded and...
Concrete, Steel
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
Vintage Swiss Garden Planter by Willy Guhl & Eternit, Circa 1950-1960
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sculptural, vintage Mid-Century modern Swiss Hankerchief or Elephant Ear garden planter or ornament by Willy Guhl and Eternit, in a light weight cement reinforced with fiber, in go...
Cement
Willy Guhl for Eternit, a Mid-Century Modern Concrete Rectangular Garden Planter
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in London, GB
Willy Guhl for Eternit, a Mid-Century Modern concrete rectangular garden planter with rectangular concave decoration with opposing triangul...
Concrete
Vintage Willy Guhl Large Tilt Concrete Planter - Mid-Century Modern Sculpture
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This vintage Willy Guhl shallow concrete bowl planter embodies the timeless elegance of Swiss mid-century modern design. Crafted in the 1960s–70s, the piece is part of Guhl’s celebra...
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
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
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...
Concrete
Vintage Willy Guhl Tilt Planter – Mid-Century Modern Concrete Bowl
By Willy Guhl
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A vintage Willy Guhl tilt planter, designed in Switzerland in the mid-20th century. Known for his pioneering work in concrete, Guhl created bold, sculptural garden pieces that seamle...
Cement
Set of Black Lacquer and Cane 4 No.3105 “Bankstuhl” Chairs by Willy Guhl, 1959
By Willy Guhl, Stendig Co.
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
$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
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...
Concrete
$1,650Sale Price|38% Off
Willy Guhl for Eternit Tilted Spindle Concrete Planter, circa 1968
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful tilted spindle concrete planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, circa 1968, Switzerland. This special 'tilted' hourglass shaped concrete spindel planter has a ...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Petite Handkerchief Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural handkerchief planters by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Rare design with a mossy green patina over grey concrete. Made of fibre cement. Great coloring. Unique sta...
Cement
$2,500 / item
Willy Guhl Concrete Vase, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic set of vases by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Great tabletop vase or planter in a unique weathered hand painted patina. Very unusual shape. Great indoors or outsi...
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
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
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...
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
$1,809Sale Price|20% Off
Willy Guhl Eternit Cement Planter or Basin, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Labrit, Landes
Sculptural concrete planter or basin designed by Willy Guhl, a famous Swiss designer and then edited by Eternit in 1950. In the 1950s, marked by designers' growing interest in innova...
Cement
Willy Guhl for Eternit Square Fiber Cement Planters, Switzerland, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Round Top, TX
A rare grouping of petite square planters designed by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. These smaller-scale square vessels with handles are far less commonly found than their l...
Concrete
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
$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 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
$2,300Sale Price|32% Off
Large 'Handkerchief' Concrete Planter by Willy Guhl for Eternit, c. 1968
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This beautiful large sized (35" diameter) 'Handkerchief' concrete planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, circa 1968 Switzerland in a lovely patinated red exterior finish ...
Concrete
$510Sale Price / item|51% Off
Willy Guhl for Eternit Large Rectangle Concrete Outdoor Planter, 1968, Signed
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 in 1968 Switzerlan...
Concrete
$410Sale Price / item|56% 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 rectangular concrete planter is by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, crafted in the 1970s Switz...
Concrete
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
$2,800 / item
Willy Guhl Concrete Urn, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete urns by Willy Guhl. Three available with varying degrees of patina and lichen. Rare model. Urns have a delicate cement ridge around the mouth as well as around the widest pa...
Concrete
$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
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
$3,800 / item
Extra Large Willy Guhl Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Extra large concrete bowl planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Gorgeous patina.
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
$3,500 / item
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.
Cement
$950Sale Price|25% Off
Willy Guhl Conical Planter - Eternit AG, Switzerland #5
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
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
$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
Original Loop chair by Willy Guhl for Eternit
By Willy Guhl
Located in London, GB
Original Loop chair by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Dated from the 60’s this piece, features a rare cleaned patina.
Concrete
Willy Guhl Saucer Planter on Stand
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
31" Willy Guhl saucer planter on stand for Eternit Floating saucer planter on base Sculptural garden vessel The base can be flipped upside down for use ...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Concrete Pod Chair, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Willy Guhl concrete pod chair, hand made in Switzerland in the 1960s. Stunning example drenched in lichen and patina. Great condition. One of the most collectible pieces of concrete ...
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
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
Willy Guhl Large Round Saucer Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Willy Guhl (1915-2004): Saucer Planter. Manufactured by Eternit, Switzerland; fiber-reinforced concrete with drilled drain hole to center, with metal stand. Stamped serial number on ...
Concrete, Metal
Willy Guhl 39" Concrete Trough Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oversized concrete trough planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Just over 39" long. Amazing patina to concrete and paint with factory drilled drainage...
Concrete
$1,275
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
Willy Guhl Olive Jar Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete 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...
Concrete
$2,500 / item
Concrete Marmite Planters by Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic sculptural concrete planters by Willy Guhl. Large jug with handles on both sides and resting on 3 feet. Great patina to each pie...
Cement
$1,623
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