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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Creator: Willy Guhl
Rare, Very Large Architectural Planter by Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in New York, NY
Rare, very large planter / jardinière / architectural element in fiber concrete by Willy Guhl.
The piece is a Minimalist sculpture in a sleek, t...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Midcentury Mode Round Planter Designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit in Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Round planter designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit in Switzerland. Beautiful patina.
The upper part inclines slightly, for better vision of the plants and flowers in it.
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Pair of Willy Guhl Elephant Ear Planters with Original Patina
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Paris, FR
Set of two large elephant ear planters done in the 1960s by Willy Guhl, with a wonderful original garden patina.
Category
1950s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
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.
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl Massive Concrete Pond
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Impressive concrete sculpture by Willy Guhl. Largest piece of Willy Guhl on the planet. Over 7 feet long and over 4 feet wide. Original French advertisement from 1962 showing the pon...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Set of 4 Willy Guhl Concrete Lamps
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic set of rare concrete lamps by Willy Guhl for Eternit. 4 lamps in different heights. Circular cutouts allow light through. One bulb inside each lamp with hand switch on the ...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
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...
Category
1950s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl Corner Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Massive green corner planter by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Gorgeous planter for indoors or outside. Excellent patina. Never seen this piece before. La...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
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...
Category
1960s Swiss Other Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Pair of Vintage Willy Guhl Concrete Loop Chairs, 1970s, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Malibu, US
Iconic pair of vintage Loop Chairs by Swiss neo-functionalist and industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland, circa 1970.
A mid-century classic like no other, th...
Category
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl 39" Deep Concrete Ridge Trough Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare and unique large trough planters by Swiss architect and industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland circa 1960s. Both in original concrete with no paint and mi...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
1960s French Concrete Planter By Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in High Point, NC
A concrete planter made in France, circa 1960, designed by Willy Guhl. A gentle tilt, which casts this sumptuously sculpted planter slightly askew, provides a playful yet graceful de...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Pair of Vintage Willy Guhl Concrete Loop Chairs, 1970s, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Malibu, US
Iconic pair of vintage Loop Chairs by Swiss neo-functionalist and industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland, circa 1970.
A mid-century classic like no other, th...
Category
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Vintage Willy Guhl Concrete Loop Chair, 1960s, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Malibu, US
Iconic vintage Loop Chair by Swiss neo-functionalist and industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland, circa 1970.
A mid-century classic like no other, the Loop Ch...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl Cone-Shaped Planter & Stand, Switzerland 1960s
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Malibu, US
Vintage Willy Guhl cone-shaped planter and stand by Swiss neo-functionalist and industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland, circa 1970.
Wonderful patina after sp...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Rare Pair of Willy Guhl Hourglass Planters, Switzerland 1960s
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Malibu, US
Vintage pair of rarely seen vintage Hourglass Planters by Swiss neo-functionalist and industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland, ...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Rare Willy Guhl Hourglass Planter, Switzerland 1960s
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Malibu, US
Vintage rarely seen Hourglass Planter by Swiss neo-functionalist and industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland, circa 1970.
This hourglass planter is shorter an...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Vintage Willy Guhl Concrete Loop Chair, 1970s, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Malibu, US
Iconic vintage Loop Chair by Swiss neo-functionalist and industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland, circa 1970.
A mid-century classic like no other, the Loop Ch...
Category
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Pair of Willy Guhl 'Diablo' Planters, XL & L, Switzerland 1960s
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Malibu, US
Pair of iconic vintage 'Diablo' Planters by Swiss neo-functionalist and industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland, circa 1970.
Made from fibre-cement, these pie...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Pair of Willy Guhl 'Diablo' Planters, Switzerland 1960s
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Malibu, US
Pair of iconic vintage 'Diablo' Planters by Swiss neo-functionalist and industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland, circa 1970.
Made from fibre-cement, these pie...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Rare Willy Guhl Hourglass Planter, Switzerland 1960s
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Malibu, US
Vintage rarely seen Hourglass Planter by Swiss neo-functionalist and industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland, circa 1970.
This hourglass planter is shorter an...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Pair of Willy Guhl 'Diablo' Planters, Switzerland 1960s
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Malibu, US
Pair of iconic vintage 'Diablo' Planters by Swiss neo-functionalist and industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland, circa 1970.
Made from fibre-cement, these pie...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl 'Diablo' Planters, Switzerland 1960s
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Malibu, US
Iconic pair of vintage 'Diablo' Planters by Swiss neo-functionalist and industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland, circa 1970.
Made from fibre-cement, these pie...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl 'Marmite' Amphora Planters, Switzerland 1960s (2 Available)
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Malibu, US
Wonderful 'Marmite' amphora planters designed by Swiss neo-functionalist and industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit in Switzerland.
These stunning pieces features a classi...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl 'Diablo' Planters, Switzerland 1960s
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Malibu, US
Iconic vintage 'Diablo' Planters by Swiss neo-functionalist and industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland, circa 1970.
Made from fibre-cement, these pieces have...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl Barbecue/Grill by Eternit, Switzerland circa 1960
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Malibu, US
Exceptionally rare barbecue/grill designed by Swiss architect and Industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland, circa 1960's.
Pedestal base with circular top is su...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement, Metal
Vintage Willy Guhl Concrete Loop Chair, 1960s, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Malibu, US
Iconic vintage Loop Chair by Swiss neo-functionalist and industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland, circa 1960s.
A mid-century classic like no other, the Loop C...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl Modular Concrete Bookcase, Switzerland, 1970's
By Willy Guhl
Located in Malibu, US
Incredible concrete modular bookcase by Swiss architect and Industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland, 1970's. 19 individual concr...
Category
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
1960s Vintage Square Willy Guhl Green Ribbed Square Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Willy guhl 1960s green ribbed square planter - these iconic mid-century modern planters by willy guhl are a stunning shade of green, showcasing a rich patina that adds character. Cra...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl 'Diablo' Spindel Hourglass Concrete Planter, Switzerland, 1954
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in The Hague, NL
High shaped diabolo shaped planter designed by Willy Guhl and Anton Bee and manufactured by Eternit Ag, Switzerland 1954.
This planter is made of cellulose infused fiber cement and ...
Category
1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
1960s Vintage Square Willy Guhl Green Ribbed Square Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Willy guhl 1960s green ribbed square planter - these iconic mid-century modern planters by willy guhl are a stunning shade of green, showcasing a rich patina that adds character. Cra...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
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....
Category
1950s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl Monumental Chalice Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning concrete planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Faceted edges around the top and bottom. Planter in the shape of a chalice. Good vintage condition. Decades of age and patina...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Set of 3 vintage planters by Willy Guhl from the 70's - G599
By Willy Guhl
Located in Lyon, FR
Set of 3 round planters by Swiss designer Willy Guhl produced by Eternit in the 70s. Fiber cement structure, original white or black paint. Very nice patina of time on the whole set ...
Category
1970s Swiss Organic Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl Concrete Loop Table
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Willy Guhl loop table is an icon of Swiss modernist furniture design. The loop table (also known as the beach table) was designed by Swiss in...
Category
2010s Swiss Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Concrete Waste Bin, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Spectacular concrete waste basket by Willy Guhl. Extremely rare model with 2 handles on either side of the top brim. Made of fiber cement. Decades of patina and paint. Little bumps p...
Category
1960s Swiss 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. Beautiful pastel blue patina. Simple and elegant design perfect for any garden or patio. Excellent ...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Rectangular Balconia Planter Willy Guhl for Eternit, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Wichita, KS
Rectangular planter with lip detail 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 wou...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl, Eternit, Garden Planter with Ball Stand for the Dish Shaped Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in London, GB
Willy Guhl for Eternit, a rare garden planter with ball stand for the dish shaped planter.
Small chip to rim of ball and a small chip to the edge of the dish shaped planter and a tr...
Category
Late 20th Century French Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Orange Pod Chairs, Pair
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in New York, NY
Iconic "pod" chairs designed by Willy Guhl and realized by Eternit, circa 1950s in Switzerland.
Orange in color. Handled for ease of movement. Handmade with cast fiber cement and ...
Category
1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl Rare Shape Large Planters, Pair
By Willy Guhl
Located in New York, NY
Swiss designer and architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, 1960s.
Pair of yellow coated wide vessel planters with classic Guhl diablo spindle shape base.
Rare shape, not seen anywhe...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Rectangle Willy Guhl Mirror
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rectangle 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 Rectangular Swiss Midcentury Planter for Eternit
By Willy Guhl
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Rectangular planters designed by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit.
The planters are made of moulded cement. The holes in its bottom allow for water drainage.
These planters a...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Willy Guhl Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Pair of Midcentury Willy Guhl Round Outdoor Planters Designed in Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of midcentury Willy Guhl rounded-body planters. These planters were designed by Swiss neo-functionalist designer Willy Guhl (1915-2004) for Eternit during the 1950s, Switzerla...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss 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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