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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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Period: Mid-20th Century
Creator: Willy Guhl
Willy Guhl Bookcase
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Incredible Concrete modular bookcase by Willy Guhl, Switzerland, 1960s Individual concrete cubes can be arranged in variety of shapes to suit whateve...
Category

1960s Swiss 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

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"...
Category

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

Materials

Concrete

Diabolo Planter by Anton Bee and Willy Guhl for Eternit Switzerland, 1950
By Willy Guhl
Located in PARIS, FR
In 1951, eternity ag sought to collaborate with outside designers and asked willy guhl and his students to work on new plant containers. eternit, developed for the production of roof...
Category

1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

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 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. ...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Off-Kilter Planter Concrete Tilted Bowl, 1970s Switzerland a Pair
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Pair of Willy Guhl 'Off-Kilter' planter concrete tilted bowl, 1970s Switzerland. A pair of Mid-20th Century planters by Willy Guhl. Stunning concrete tilted bowl planter by Swiss a...
Category

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

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl and Robert Pansart Red Pod Chair in Cement, 1969
By Robert Pansart, Willy Guhl
Located in Santa Gertrudis, Baleares
Extremely rare iconic pod chair attributed to Willy Guhl, Many experts agree that this Pod Chair is actually the work of Robert Pansart, better known for his mirrors than for this ma...
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

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 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".
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl Saucer Bowl, 1960s Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Highly decorative and large outdoor saucer-shaped planter designed by Industrial Design Pioneer Willy Guhl and manufactured by Eternit Ag, Switzerland in the 1960s. Sculpted from ...
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl Blue Concrete Cone Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large concrete cone planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. 2 available in a beautiful royal blue patina. Made in the 1960s in Switzerland. Great scale. Two available. Priced individu...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Monumental Willy Guhl Concrete Vase, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Immense concrete vase by Willy Guhl in a cream patina. Extremely rare model. Made of fiber cement. Decades of patina, moss and paint. Colors vary from cream and white to grey and bro...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Pair of Willy Willy Guhl Biomorphic Pots or Planters by Eternit
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Baambrugge, NL
Beautifully shaped large pair of biomorphic pots by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Manufactured by Eternit AG, who produced all of Guhl's designs. These pots look similar to the handker...
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Other

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 Concrete Vase, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful concrete vases by Willy Guhl. Thick walls with years of patina both hand painted in a matte white paint. Delicate and classic lines that start with a thin tapered base and ...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl Handkerchief Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Rare design with a nice patina with colors from beige to red. Made of fibre cement. Great coloring. Unique standalone sc...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

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

Vintage 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 after Guhl watched as the Eternit fiber ...
Category

1960s Swiss 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

Monumental Willy Guhl Vertical Handkerchief Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning concrete planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. An iteration of his iconic handkerchief planter but as opposed to the traditional low profile handkerchief with wide leaf-lik...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Monumental Willy Guhl Concrete Vase, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Immense concrete vase by Willy Guhl in an adobe patina. Extremely rare model. Made of fiber cement. Decades of patina, moss and paint. Colors vary from adobe and white to green and d...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

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

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...
Category

1960s Swiss Industrial Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Monumental Willy Guhl Concrete Arrowhead Planter, 1960s, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oversized concrete trough planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Stunning presence and design. Stretching an impressive 39" long, this trough is incredibly versatile and able to hold...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Small Bowl Planter, 1950s, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare 1950s planter bowl designed by Swiss neo-functionalist and Industrial Design Pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit in Switzerland. Sculpted from fiber cement which has slowly weathere...
Category

1950s Swiss Industrial 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

Willy Guhl Modular Concrete Bookcase
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural concrete bookcase by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Handmade in Switzerland in the early 1960s. Produced by Eternit. Set consists of 10 concrete cubes and one concrete shelf...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

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 23" Concrete Bowl, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic cement bowls by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Very unusual size in 23" diameter. Most bowls start at a much larger 31" diameter and are only to be used outdoors d...
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Blue Fiberglass Bench, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Remarkable midcentury floating bench by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. circa 1960s. Perfect minimal design as is common with the Swiss designer. Light weight but sturdy. The electric bl...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Metal

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

Willy Guhl Concrete Urn, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
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...
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern 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 Flower Pot, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Perfect large concrete flower pots by Willy Guhl. Made in Switzerland in the 1960s. Great vintage condition with unique patina on each as shown. Cl...
Category

1960s Swiss Minimalist Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

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...
Category

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

Materials

Concrete

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...
Category

1960s American Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl Concrete Urn, 1960s Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
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...
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage 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 Dog House, 1960s, Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing industrial cement dog kennel by Swiss designer Willy Guhl for Eternit. Extremely rare size with heavy patina and lichen. A small doggy door is on the bottom left side of the ...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

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

Willy Guhl for Eternit Concrete Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Willy Guhl for Eternit concrete planters.
Category

1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

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...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Pair of Vintage Swiss Jars Willy Guhl 60s Eternite Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Lyon, FR
Pair of jars by the Swiss designer Willy Guhl produced by Eternit in the 1960s. Fiber cement structure typical of the designer's garden furniture. Very nice patina of time that we wa...
Category

1960s Swiss Brutalist Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Green 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 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

Vintage planters by Willy Guhl, 1960s set of 3, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Set of 3 planters designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit SA. Three different szies in this set. One planters has some white paint on it. 1960s -...
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 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 patina from layers of finishes worn down over the years. Urn has a delicate cement ridge around the mouth as well as...
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage 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

Rectangular Planter by Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland, 1950s
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
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 and...
Category

1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

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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