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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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Creator: Willy Guhl
Dealer: Orange Furniture
Willy Guhl Cubes
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Unique set of painted Willy Guhl cubes in a dark brown. Produced in 1960's Switzerland by Eternity. Set of 5 in original vintage patina. Sold a...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
3 long narrow rectangular planters by Willy Guhl for Eternit Priced individually - 3 available.
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

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

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 Triangle
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Unique triangle shaped Willy Guhl planter with wonderful patina.
Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Table Lamp
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Willy Guhl concrete cube made into a table lamp with linen shade and teak wood. Priced individually. Wonderful blue-is patina Measure: Shade 12.25" x...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl Biomorphic Pots
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
These Willy Guhl pots in the shape of candy wrapper all have different wonderful patina Priced individually.
Category

1960s Swiss 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

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 o...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern 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 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 Concrete Doghouse
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Fantastic concrete dome shaped dog house designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Wonderful patina and shape would be a perfect kennel for your beloved mid-century pet!
Category

1960s Swiss 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

Willy Guhl Rectangular Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Tabletop Willy Guhl rectangular shaped planter.
Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl Shallow Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Table top Willy Guhl shallow planter. Priced individually.
Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl Large Shallow Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
tabletop Willy Guhl large scale shallow planter. Priced individually.
Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl "Tooth" Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rare Willy Guhl "Tooth" planters. Triangular shaped concrete planters with fantastic patina and age. 3 grey and 1 white planter. Each one unique. 4 available, sold and priced individ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

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.  
Category

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

Materials

Cement

Large Willy Guhl Hexagon Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Unique hexagon shaped planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Great patina.
Category

1960s French Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Willy Guhl rectangular planters with wonderful patina. Sold individually.
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Related Items
Willy Guhl for Eternit Rectangle Concrete Outdoor Planter, 1970s, Signed
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This designer on-trend architectural 23.75" long rectangular concrete planter is by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, crafted in the 1970s Switzerland and signed and dated unde...
Category

1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Chrome and Brass Willy Rizzo Table Lamp
By Willy Rizzo, BD Lumica
Located in London, GB
A Tall table lamp in brass and chrome by Willy Rizzo for Lumica. Measurements given including shade. Measurements without are 12cm x 12cm c 55cm circa 1970. Shade in good condition.
Category

1970s European Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Brass, Chrome

  • Chrome and Brass Willy Rizzo Table Lamp
  • Chrome and Brass Willy Rizzo Table Lamp
  • Chrome and Brass Willy Rizzo Table Lamp
  • Chrome and Brass Willy Rizzo Table Lamp
H 29.93 in. W 17.72 in. D 11.82 in.
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

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

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

Willy Guhl 1970s Garden Planter Hexagonal Shape
By Willy Guhl
Located in Stow on the Wold, GB
Wonderful planter made from concrete fibre. Hexagonal shape. In good vintage condition and very nicely patinated. Dates from the 1960s Measures 61cm wide (flat side to flat side)...
Category

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

Materials

Cement

  • Willy Guhl 1970s Garden Planter Hexagonal Shape
  • Willy Guhl 1970s Garden Planter Hexagonal Shape
  • Willy Guhl 1970s Garden Planter Hexagonal Shape
  • Willy Guhl 1970s Garden Planter Hexagonal Shape
H 9.45 in. W 24.02 in. D 24.02 in.
Willy Guhl 1960s Garden Planter Saucer Shape
By Willy Guhl
Located in Stow on the Wold, GB
Wonderful planter made from concrete fibre. Hexagonal shape. In good vintage condition and very nicely patinated. Dates from the 1960s Measures 61cm wide (flat side to flat side)...
Category

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

Materials

Cement

  • Willy Guhl 1960s Garden Planter Saucer Shape
  • Willy Guhl 1960s Garden Planter Saucer Shape
  • Willy Guhl 1960s Garden Planter Saucer Shape
  • Willy Guhl 1960s Garden Planter Saucer Shape
H 9.45 in. W 24.02 in. D 24.02 in.
Willy Guhl Mouchoir Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in New Orleans, LA
Willy Guhl was a famous Swiss designer who created planters in many shapes. These are formed from a slab of Eternit (a fibrous concrete material) that was molded into a handkerchief ...
Category

20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

  • Willy Guhl Mouchoir Planter
  • Willy Guhl Mouchoir Planter
  • Willy Guhl Mouchoir Planter
  • Willy Guhl Mouchoir Planter
H 7 in. W 26 in. D 26 in.
1960s "Marmite" Amphora Planters by Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Chicago, IL
Famous "marmite" planters by Swiss designer Willy Guhl produced for Eternity, circa 1960's. Structure in fibro-cement with three feet in the shape of a cauldron. Very nice patina of ...
Category

1960s Swiss Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Stone

Willy Guhl 1970s Garden Planter Eliptical Shape
By Willy Guhl
Located in Stow on the Wold, GB
Wonderful planter made from concrete fibre. Eliptical shape. In good vintage condition and very nicely patinated. Dates from the 1960s Made by urostone, Willy Guhl Style ST1528.
Category

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

Materials

Concrete

  • Willy Guhl 1970s Garden Planter Eliptical Shape
  • Willy Guhl 1970s Garden Planter Eliptical Shape
  • Willy Guhl 1970s Garden Planter Eliptical Shape
  • Willy Guhl 1970s Garden Planter Eliptical Shape
H 7.88 in. W 39.38 in. D 19.69 in.
Table Lamp by Willy Daro
By Willy Daro
Located in Budapest, HU
Vintage brass & agate table lamp by Willy Daro, 1970s, Bruxelles Lampshade size: H40/W50/D30cm.
Category

1970s Belgian Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Agate, Brass

  • Table Lamp by Willy Daro
  • Table Lamp by Willy Daro
  • Table Lamp by Willy Daro
  • Table Lamp by Willy Daro
H 32.68 in. W 11.82 in. D 5.52 in.
Set of Two Willy Guhl Tilted Concrete Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Bradenton, FL
A wonderfully patinated pair of tilted or off-kilter planters that were designed by Willy Guhl. Made from fibrous cement. Beautifully weathered over the decades, making them unique v...
Category

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

Materials

Concrete

Previously Available Items
Willy Guhl Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Willy Guhl rectangular planters with wonderful patina. Sold individually.
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

  • Willy Guhl Planters
  • Willy Guhl Planters
  • Willy Guhl Planters
  • Willy Guhl Planters
H 16 in. W 32 in. D 15 in.
Willy Guhl Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Large scale Willy Guhl planters with wonderful patina. Sold and priced individually.
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

  • Willy Guhl Planters
  • Willy Guhl Planters
  • Willy Guhl Planters
  • Willy Guhl Planters
H 17 in. W 31.50 in. D 16 in.
Willy Guhl Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Large scale Willy Guhl planters with wonderful patina Sold and priced individually.
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

  • Willy Guhl Planters
  • Willy Guhl Planters
  • Willy Guhl Planters
  • Willy Guhl Planters
H 17 in. W 31.50 in. L 17 in.
Willy Guhl Tilted Planter
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 Tilted Planter
  • Willy Guhl Tilted Planter
  • Willy Guhl Tilted Planter
  • Willy Guhl Tilted Planter
H 18 in. Dm 25 in.
Large Willy Guhl Concrete Planter with Stand
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Matching pair of large concrete bowl planters by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit on stand. Wonderful patina and character. Pair availab...
Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Table Lamp
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Willy Guhl concrete table lamp with linen shade Priced individually. Measures: H - 24.25" D - 12.25" L - 12.25".
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

  • Willy Guhl Table Lamp
  • Willy Guhl Table Lamp
  • Willy Guhl Table Lamp
  • Willy Guhl Table Lamp
H 24.5 in. W 12.25 in. L 24.5 in.
Willy Guhl Cubes
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Willy Guhl open cubes customized with bright orange painted interiors Great as object / bookshelf / or retail display!   
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

  • Willy Guhl Cubes
  • Willy Guhl Cubes
  • Willy Guhl Cubes
  • Willy Guhl Cubes
H 12 in. W 12 in. D 16 in.
Willy Guhl Hexagon Cube Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rare Willy Guhl hexagon cube shaped concrete planters with fantastic patina and age. Wonderful shape - stacked like a sculpture or individually. Pr...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

  • Willy Guhl Hexagon Cube Planters
  • Willy Guhl Hexagon Cube Planters
  • Willy Guhl Hexagon Cube Planters
  • Willy Guhl Hexagon Cube Planters
H 15.25 in. W 18.5 in. D 18.5 in.
Willy Guhl Loop Chairs
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Pair of Willy Guhl "Loop" chairs France, circa 1950s. 1 chair has substantial crack - please see photos.  
Category

1960s French Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

  • Willy Guhl Loop Chairs
  • Willy Guhl Loop Chairs
  • Willy Guhl Loop Chairs
  • Willy Guhl Loop Chairs
H 20.75 in. W 21.50 in. D 30.75 in.
Willy Guhl Table Lamp
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Willy Guhl concrete table lamp with linen shade Priced individually.
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

  • Willy Guhl Table Lamp
  • Willy Guhl Table Lamp
  • Willy Guhl Table Lamp
  • Willy Guhl Table Lamp
H 24 in. W 12 in. L 24 in.
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 o...
Category

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

Materials

Concrete

  • Willy Guhl Hourglass Planter
  • Willy Guhl Hourglass Planter
  • Willy Guhl Hourglass Planter
  • Willy Guhl Hourglass Planter
H 24 in. Dm 21.25 in.
Willy Guhl Bench
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Fantastic concrete floating bench by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Iron frame with great patina throughout.
Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

  • Willy Guhl Bench
  • Willy Guhl Bench
  • Willy Guhl Bench
  • Willy Guhl Bench
H 30 in. W 73.5 in. D 26.5 in.

Willy Guhl furniture for sale on 1stDibs

Willy Guhl furniture is available for sale on 1stDibs. These unique pieces are often made of stone, and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options in our Willy Guhl collection of furniture, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular.. We stock 288 vintage versions of these items, while there are 3 modern editions to choose from as well. Many original furniture by Willy Guhl were created in Europe during the 20th century in the Mid-Century Modern style. If you are looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Ludwig Walser and Eternit. Willy Guhl furniture prices can vary depending on size, time period and other attributes. The price for these items starts at $395 and tops out at $38,500, while pieces like these can sell for $2,400 on average.

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