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.
$3,600 / item
Willy Guhl Monumental Clam Shell Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural biomorphic cement clam planters by Willy Guhl. In the shape of a clam shell. Gorgeous planter in a monumental scale for indoors or outside. Exc...
Concrete
$5,500 / item
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. Excellent patina and vintage condition. ...
Concrete
$2,000 / item
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...
Cement
$2,800 / item
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...
Cement
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...
Cement
Willy Guhl for Eternit Handkerchief Concrete Planters, 1960s
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit sculptural handkerchief concrete planters or jardinières, Switzerland, 1960s. These exquisite planters are made from weather-resistant fiber cement...
Concrete
$3,800 / item
Willy Guhl Low Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Willy Guhl low planters with shallow bowl that sits on matching base. Both planters have amazing patinas Priced individually.
Concrete
Willy Guhl Chalice Shaped Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique concrete planter 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 condit...
Concrete
$1,320Sale Price|20% Off
Pair of Willy Guhl for Eternit Rectangular Cement Planters No. 2
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Chicago, IL
Second pair of concrete planters by Willy Guhl for the Swiss company, Eternit. Guhl, a neo-functionalist designer and innovative furniture designer, came up with the idea of using co...
Cement
$2,200 / item
Willy Guhl Flower Pots
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very rare set of Willy Guhl sculptural flower planters made of cement. Great sculptural objects. Hollow and open on both ends. Perfect for placing in soil and arranging plants/flower...
Cement
Monumental Willy Guhl Conical Vessel with Stand
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Monumental Willy Guhl conical planters, often referred to as the “Paris” model, exemplify the designer’s mastery of sculptural form and functional restraint. Produced in fiber cement...
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...
Concrete
Massive Swiss Concrete Ball Planter, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete Swiss ball planters in the style of Willy Guhl. Great patina the planter. Great for indoors or outside. Only one in primary image available. Oth...
Concrete
Massive Willy Guhl Elephant Ear Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Massive fiber cement elephant ear planter by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. 5 available in incredible varying colors and patinas. Incredible design featuring a wide body tha...
Cement
Willy Guhl Concrete Cone Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete cone flower pot by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Made in the 1960s in Switzerland. Amazing patina across the whole outer body of the planter with multiple flecks of different ...
Concrete
$2,800
Willy Guhl Bird Bath
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Willy Guhl bird bath made of cement. Unique shape and large size. Over three feet long. Great sculpture and object. Could be used for succule...
Cement
$6,500 / set
Willy Guhl Off-Kilter Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of off-kilter planters, designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit. A play on the classic diabolo form. Strong and robust, these tilted garden planters are sculpted from fibrous cement....
Concrete
$930Sale Price|51% Off
Willy Guhl for Eternit Cone Concrete Planter in Burgundy, circa 1968, Signed
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
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
Willy Guhl Olive Jar Planter
By 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. Excell...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Pink Concrete Cone Planter on Iron Stand
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Architectural concrete planter by Willy Guhl. Pink cone planter on iron tripod base. Great color and patina. Drainage hole. Unusual piece of collectible Will...
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. One bulb inside each with on/off switch on the cord. Lovely s...
Concrete
$1,300 / item
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...
Concrete
Paire de jardinieres diabolo Wilhy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in BAUD, FR
ensemble de deux jardiniere diabolo de Willy Guhl en eternit 37cm de hauteur 65cm de diametre
Concrete
Willy Guhl Green Fiberglass and Steel Bench, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Remarkable mid-century 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 g...
Metal
Gigantic Willy Guhl Saucer & Iron Stand
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Absolutely massive Willy Guhl saucer that sits on black iron base. Wonderful patina and gigantic in scale - almost 5 feet! Switzerland, 1960s.
Concrete, Iron
Willy Guhl Large Concrete Table Lamp, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning concrete Willy Guhl lamp by Eternit with teak top cover. Concrete made in Swizterland. Newly fitted as a lamp, re-wired with a new custom linen shade with rounded edges and ...
Concrete
$5,500 / item
Willy Guhl Concrete Table Lamp, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic rare concrete lamp by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Circular cutouts allow light through. One bulb inside each with on/off switch on the cord. Lovely soft grey color with subtle ...
Concrete
Pair of "Loop Chair" Armchairs Willy Guhl Swiss Vintage Design, G212
By Willy Guhl
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Pair of garden armchairs model "Loop chair" by the Swiss designer Willy Guhl from the 60's edited by Eternit. Fiber cement ribbon forming a low...
Cement
$1,143Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 3 square Willy Guhl planters in eternit
By Willy Guhl
Located in LYON, FR
Planters in eternit, fiber cement by Willy Guhl, Circa 1950. An irresistible look for these unusual 33X33 cm square planters, 5 cm high.
Cement
$2,500
Willy Guhl Cone Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Willy Guh concrete planters in simple cone shape Manufactured in the 1960s in Switzerland. Multiple available in various colors and patina. Sizing below: 22" X 10"H 18" X 9,5" H ...
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...
Concrete
Willy Guhl White Basin Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large concrete planter by Willy Guhl in a cream paint with light patina. Low profile bin with a large diameter and 25" depth. Sturdy and substa...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Petite Ridged Planters, 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 5 ...
Cement
Willy Guhl Diablo Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Atlanta, GA
Also known as the "Hourglass" or "Spindle" planter. A mid-century modernist icon defined by its sculptural, symmetrical double-cone silhouette. Designed in Switzerland in the 1950s b...
Concrete
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 ...
Cement
2 Small Spindle or Diabolo Planter Designed by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Mouscron, WHT
2 Small spindle or diabolo planter designed by Swiss architect Willy Guhl The price is for one Two are available.
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 ...
Cement
$2,200 / item
Willy Guhl Elephant Ear Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning concrete elephant ear planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Great vintage condition. Two available with different coloring...
Cement
Mid-Century Modern Flat Planter by Willy Guhl for Eternit
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Doornspijk, NL
This planter is designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit of Switzerland. It is flat and slightly oblong and has a beautiful patina throughout. 1960s. Three available, listed separately.
Cement
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...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Fatboy Hourglass Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Willy Guhl concrete diabolo planter. Short and fat. Rarer model. Great condition and coloring. Only one available.
Cement
$1,400 / item
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.
Concrete
Swiss Mid-Century Modern Conical Concrete Diable Planter by Willy Gulh, 1950s
By Willy Guhl
Located in MIlano, IT
Swiss Mid-Century Modern conical concrete Diable planter or vase by Willy Gulh, 1950s Diable model planter or vase, entirely in concrete, with conical base structure and containing ...
Concrete
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
Vintage Willy Guhl Cast Concrete Trough Planter, Rectangular Swiss Design
By Willy Guhl
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A striking example of mid-century Swiss industrial design, this vintage Willy Guhl cast concrete trough planter exudes timeless charm and architectural appeal. Designed in the 1950s-...
Concrete
Rectangular Balconia Planter Willy Guhl for Eternit, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Wichita, KS
Rectangular planter with lip by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Planter is made of cement and has good color and patina. Great lines and clean design. This planter would be m...
Concrete
$11,500
Pair of Willy Guhl Lamps
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Pair of Table lamps by Willy Guhl in unique oblong shape. New linen shade with Walnut wood top, brass neck and newly rewired Wonderful patina. Priced as a pair.
Cement
Willy Guhl Trapezoid Planter, Fiber Concrete, Mid-Century Modern, 1960
By Willy Guhl
Located in Wichita, KS
Rare vintage square taper trapezoid shaped Willy Guhl planter. This shape is not common and hard to find. wonderful handles on the Side and great patina. Would make a lovely planter inside or out. sold individually. One planter has a smoother gray exterior and probably has not been painted over the years. The other has a bit more patina. Together the two blend nicely. one also has a hairline in the concrete in the upper corner on one side. To view all of our listings at Tiffany...
Concrete
Vintage Willy Guhl Fiber Cement Planter Rectangular with Distressed Green Paint
By Willy Guhl
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A rare and highly collectible vintage industrial planter box designed by Willy Guhl. This long rectangular planter features a heavily distressed green and white painted surface with ...
Cement
$8,500 / item
Willy Guhl Table with built in Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Unique Willy Guhl Table with built in Planters 3x planter with yellow patina Original construction of fiber cement Switzerland, 1960s
Cement
$6,327 / set
Large Domed Dog House by Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Copenhagen K, DK
Designed by Willy Guhl, you have here a modern kennel for your beloved dog. The house is designed in fibrated cement by Eternit Switzerland in the 1960s. The two-piece dome-shaped sh...
Cement
Rectangular Balconia Planters Willy Guhl for Eternit, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Wichita, KS
Rectangular planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Planter is made of cement and has good color and patina. Great lines and clean design. This planter would be magnificen...
Concrete
1960s Large Red Willy Guhl Rectangular Concrete Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Crafted by renowned Swiss designer Willy Guhl during the 1960s, this rectangular concrete box planter exemplifies the understated sophistication and functional modernism that define ...
Cement
$1,140 / item
1960s Willy Guhl Vintage Red Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This exceptional vintage planter attributed to Willy Guhl is a highly desirable example of Swiss modernist design from the 1960s. Crafted in Switzerland from solid cement, this plant...
Cement
$9,000
Modernis Concrete Chair
By Willy Guhl
Located in LAGUNA BEACH, CA
Willy Guhl's concrete garden chairs with tulip-style seats are exemplary pieces that epitomize innovative design and outdoor sophistication. Crafted with concrete, these chairs showc...
Concrete
Medium Swiss White Concrete Dog House by Willy Guhl for Eternit, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare 1960s concrete dog house designed by renowned Swiss designer Willy Guhl. The structure features a simple elongated base topped by a raised semicircular arch that peaks at a de...
Concrete
Medium Swiss Concrete Dog House by Willy Guhl for Eternit, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare 1960s concrete dog house designed by renowned Swiss designer Willy Guhl. The structure features a simple elongated base topped by a raised semicircular arch that peaks at a de...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Sandbox Planter Eternit AG, Switzerland, 1960
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Rare sandbox flower pot designed by Willy Guhl and manufactured by Eternit AG, Switzerland 1960. This piece can be used as a sandbox or storage box, but als...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Square Tiered Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great sculptural planter by Willy Guhl. Square frame raised on indented square base. All one piece. Good vintage condition and patina.
Cement