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.
$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
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
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
$1,511 / 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
$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
$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
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
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
Mid-Century Modern Elephant Ear Planter by Willy Guhl, Swiss, 1950s
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
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
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
$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
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
$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
$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 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
Vintage Biomorphic Garden Planter by Willy Guhl, Swiss Design, 1950s
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
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
$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
$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
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
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
$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
$14,000 / set
Extra Large Pair of Willy Guhl Lamps
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Massive Pair of Table Lamps by Willy Guhl with wonderful patina New linen shade and impressive in scale. Priced as a pair.
Cement
Willy Guhl Petite Ridged Planter, 1970s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Petite ridged planter by Willy Guhl. Concrete planter in the shape of a rectangle with an upper rim and ridged sides. Great scale. Very good vintage condition. Only one available.
Cement
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
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 washed out patina from layers of white paint which have worn down over the years. Urn has a delicate cement ridge around the mo...
Concrete
$530Sale Price / item|51% Off
Willy Guhl for Eternit Rectangle Concrete Outdoor Handle Planter, circa 1968
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 circa 1...
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
$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 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 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
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. Made in the 1960s in Switzerland. This planter features a striking, clean, inverted geometry that rise...
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
$4,400 / item
Willy Guhl Concrete Urn Planter, 1960's
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An exceptional vintage outdoor planter designed by pioneering Swiss industrial designer Willy Guhl for Eternit circa 1960. This rare silhouette features a beautifully balanced biomor...
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
Vintage Swiss Hanky 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 Hankerchief or Elephant Ear planters designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit, in good condition. These sculptural large garden planters are part...
Cement
Willy Guhl Planter on Stand
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Willy Guhl for Eternit 47" planter on stand. Floating saucer planter on base. Sculptural garden vessel. The base can be flipped upside down for u...
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
Vintage Swiss Garden Planter by Willy Guhl, Mid-Century Cement Design
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century modern Swiss Handkerchief or Elephant Ear garden planter by Willy Guhl and Eternit, in good condition. The sculptural planter is made of a light weight cement, ...
Cement
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 Eternit Planters, Switzerland, 1960s
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
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
$1,700Sale Price|37% Off
Willy Guhl for Eternit Large Sized Tilted Spindle Concrete Planter, circa 1968
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large sized (18" tall and 25" wide) tilted spindle concrete planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, circa 1968, Switzerland. This special 'tilted' hourglass shaped concr...
Concrete
$1,627
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
$930Sale Price|51% Off
Willy Guhl for Eternit Cone Concrete Planter in Burgundy, circa 1968, Signed
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An incredible designer on-trend architectural concrete cone planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, circa 1968 Switzerland. This cone shaped concrete planter has a patinated burgundy red exterior finish. Consider using this as a bird-feeder or bird-bath, a sculptural art piece or a pot for succulents, weeping grass or plants. Signed on the inside near edge. 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
$1,627
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
$1,278
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
$832Sale Price|25% Off
Willy Guhl MONUMENTAL Concrete Planter - Eternit AG, Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
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
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
Willy Guhl Light Up Concrete Side Table, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning concrete side table with built in lamp by Eternit. Made in Swizterland. Newly rewired. Gorgeous piece of collectible design. Can be used indoors...
Concrete
Tropical Planter by Willy Guhl, Produced by Eternit Brazil, 1960s
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in New York, NY
This vase is part of the series of Eternit fiber-cement vases designed by Willy Guhl (1915–2004), the industrial design pioneer in Switzerland who also created the remarkable Loop ch...
Cement
$5,500 / item
Willy Guhl Table Lamp
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Petite Willy Guhl concrete table lamp with new linen shade Priced individually. Measures : H - 14.75" D - 9.25" L - 9.25".
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
$3,600 / item
Willy Guhl Tooth Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique cement planter by Willy Guhl. Triangular shape with faceted sides. Great piece of sculpture for indoors or outside. 7 available. Priced individually. Very good vintage conditi...
Cement
Willy Guhl Concrete Pod Chair, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning concrete pod chair designed by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Hand made in Switzerland by Eternit in the 1960s. Gorgeous patina. Factory drill...
Cement
$1,000Sale Price|20% Off
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
$24,500 / set
Pair of Willy Guhl Sculptural Concrete Chairs
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Perfect set of sculptural concrete chairs by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Faceted square chairs with great lines and proportions. Perfect indoors or outside. Fantastic coloring and patina...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Olive Jar Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning concrete olive jar planter by Willy Guhl with great patina and coloring. Amazing depth to the piece due to the layers of yellow, green and b...
Concrete
$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
Monumental Willy Guhl Eternit Pedestal Bowl Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This monumental pedestal bowl planter is an iconic example of mid-century modern garden design attributed to Swiss designer Willy Guhl, whose sculptural Eternit fiber cement planters...
Cement
Willy Guhl Disc Planter with Base, Mid-Century Modern, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Wichita, KS
Willy Guhl fiber-cement planters for Eternit of Switzerland. The planter is a two-piece ensemble: a wide, yet shallow bowl (31 ¼” in diameter x 9 ¼” deep) sitting in a low, conical b...
Cement