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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: 20th Century
Creator: Willy Guhl
Monumental Willy Guhl Flower Pot, 1970s, Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Monumental concrete flower pot by Willy Guhl. A natural grey concrete finish with minimal wear, this planter fits perfectly into any design story. Made...
Category

1970s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl 31" Adjustable 2-Piece Concrete Bowl Planters, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic cement planters by Swiss designer Willy Guhl for Eternit. Pedestal base with massive bowl that sits on top. Bowl can sit flat or angled in a mul...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Monumental 38" Willy Guhl for Eternit 'Diablo' Concrete Spindle Planter, c 1968
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredibly gorgeous 38" tall 'Diablo' concrete spindel planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, circa 1968, Switzerland. This sculptural hourglass shaped concrete planter has a white exterior finish. 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...
Category

1960s Swiss 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

Willy Guhl Handkerchief Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Willy Guhl for Eternit Handkerchief planter with sculptural clean lines Great patina.
Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

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 and...
Category

1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage 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 Concrete Flower Pot, 1960s Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
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 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

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 for Eternit Concrete Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of concrete Willy Guhl planters by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, circa 1968.
Category

Late 20th Century Swiss 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

Willy Guhl Concrete Vases
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique set of concrete sculptures by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Concrete vases/planters rarely seen. Cool sculptural piece for indoors or outside. Great standalone piece of art. Gre...
Category

1960s Swiss 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 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.
Category

1970s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

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

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 Concrete Trough Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete trough planters by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Just under 32" long. Factory drilled drainage holes. Perfect depth for narrow spaces. 21 availa...
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. Just under 24" long. Factory drilled drainage holes. Perfect depth for narrow spaces. 33 availa...
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

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

Small Willy Guhl Amoeba Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic cement amoeba bowl by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Bright red base and grey top. Very unusual design with beautiful patina. Good vintage condition. Wear as shown.
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl Olive Jar Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
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

Willy Guhl Concrete Pedestal Planter, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete pedestal planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Made in the 1960s in Switzerland. Factory drilled drainage holes in each planter. Different ...
Category

1960s Swiss Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Concrete Cube Side Table, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic modular fiber cement cube by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl, for Eternit. Amazing scale and patina to each cube. Great as a side table, for holding b...
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement, 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

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 Concrete Flower Pot, 1960s Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Perfect concrete flower pots by Willy Guhl. Made in Switzerland in the 1960s. Great vintage condition with unique patina on each as shown. Classic ...
Category

1960s Swiss Minimalist 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 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 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 Tall Puzzle Piece Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic sculptural piece by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Tall planters shaped like jigsaw puzzle pieces. One is painted white while the other is in the...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

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

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 Sculptural Concrete Vase, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning concrete vase by Willy Guhl. Just under three feet tall. Extremely rare model. Made of fiber cement. Decades of patina and moss/ lichen. Colors vary from grey to white and c...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl Ridged Bin Planters, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique ridged planters by Willy Guhl in the shape of a trash bin. Indented handles on both sides. Different coloring and patina for each of the three planters available as shown. Fun...
Category

1960s Swiss 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 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 Olive Jar Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
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

Willy Guhl Olive Jar Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
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. Excellent vintage condition. One availab...
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Petite Ridged Planter, 1970s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Petite ridged planters by Willy Guhl. Concrete planters in the shape of a rectangle with an upper rim and ridged sides. Great scale. Very good condition with similar patina on all 3 ...
Category

1970s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl for Eternit 'Diablo' Concrete Hourglass Planters, c 1968
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredibly gorgeous 31" tall and 18" diameter 'Diablo' concrete spindel planters by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, circa 1968, Switzerland. These sculptural hourglass shaped concrete planters have a grey exterior finish, one darker grey and the other two are light grey. Three available, priced individually. If you are purchasing less than all three, please message us with which one(s) you wish us to ship. 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...
Category

1960s Swiss Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl for Eternit, 2 Pairs Mid-Century Modern concrete Garden Dish Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in London, GB
Willy Guhl for Eternit, two matched pairs of Mid-Century Modern concrete garden dish planters in good condition. Measures: Height - 11 inches W - 31.5 inches D n- 31.5 inches. Height...
Category

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

Materials

Concrete

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.     
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

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 ...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl Rectangular Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic rectangular planters by Willy Guhl. Great for succulents and indoor planting. 4 available. Priced individually.  
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

100 Piece Willy Guhl Modular Concrete Bookcase, 1960s Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning monumental 100 piece concrete bookcase by Willy Guhl. Made up of 4 different sized hand-made concrete cubes. Completely modular and able to be a...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Set of 3 Sculptural Triangular Planters by Willy Guhl, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 3 sculptural standing triangular concrete planters by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Can be placed upside down or right side. up. Each planter has a solid base to balance the wei...
Category

1960s Swiss Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Monumental Willy Guhl Concrete Urn, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unusual concrete urn by Willy Guhl. Rare model and size. Excellent white and green patina. Urn has a delicate cement ridge around the mouth as well as around the widest part of the j...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Vasque Planters, a Pair
By Willy Guhl
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful pair of Vasque planters designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit. The basins can be adjusted in their corresponding bases. The set has a gorgeous age to them and make for a stunn...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Box Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great set of box planters by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Classic design with great lines. Fantastic coloring and patina. Perfect scale. Three still available....
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl 37" Diabolo Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete diabolo planter by Swiss Designer Willy Guhl. Varying degrees of patina to each planter. Available in multiple sizes and quantities. *4 avai...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl Concrete Trough Planter on Iron Hairpin Stand, 1975 Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare concrete trough planters sitting in fantastic iron hairpin stands by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Trough is 24" long. Incredible natural patina with no paint. Factory drilled dra...
Category

1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

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.
Category

1950s Swiss Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Large 'Handkerchief' Concrete Planters by Willy Guhl for Eternit, c. 1968
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This beautiful pair of large sized (35" diameter) 'Handkerchief' concrete planters by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, circa 1968 Switzerland has beautiful patina including fi...
Category

1960s Swiss 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. 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

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.
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

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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