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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
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 Hourglass Pots
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Wonderful collection of concrete hourglass planters by the Swiss Architect, Willy Guhl. Great age, patina and coloring. Iconic sculptural planter or garden object. This listing is fo...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Petite Willy Guhl Lamps
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Pair of petite scale lamps by Willy Guhl with new linen shade and concrete base. Teak wood and newly rewired Wonderful patina. Priced as a pair.
Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Large Table Lamp
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Willy Guhl table lamp in varying patina New linen shade Pairs available.
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl Table Lamp
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Willy Guhl table lamp in varying patina's New linen shade Pairs available.
Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

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 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 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 Square Square Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The perfectly patina'd square Willy Guhl planter Priced Individually.
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Loop Chairs
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Pair of Willy Guhl "Loop" chairs with great patina. Sold as a pair of 2 chairs - 2 sets available Original Eternit production - Switzerland, circa 1950s.
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

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.
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

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 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 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 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 as a...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage 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 obje...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern 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 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 12...
Category

1960s 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

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

Pair of Willy Guhl Chairs
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Willy Guhl chairs with cubed angular shape and wide seat. Fantastic patina throughout - Geometric in shape with flat arms and cantilevered seat Wonderful patina Sold as a pair
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete, Cement

Willy Guhl Table Lamp
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Willy Guhl table lamp in rare shape Matching pair available New linen shade.
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Related Items
Petite Iron Tripod Lamp
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Petite iron tripod lamp with slender legs and tapered feet. New wiring and new oyster linen shade. Multiple available, sold individually.
Category

2010s Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Iron

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Midcentury Three-Strand Rectangle Rattan Mirror
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Willy Rizzo Table Lamp by Lumica
By Willy Rizzo
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Table lamp rewired from the 1970s, edited by Lumica Base size 4" / 4" / 10".
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Willy Guhl New Production Spindel Hourglass Planters
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Massive hourglass planters by Swiss designer Willy Guhl. Newly produced. Largest size made by Willy Guhl. Handmade in the same factories as the vintage planters. Made of thin fibrous...
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Restored Two-Strand Rectangle Rattan Wall Mirror
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Large 23" Tall rectangular mirror featuring a single-strand Rattan frame with an inner rattan border. We only purchase and sell only the best and finest rattan furniture made by the...
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Willy Guhl for Eternit Large Rectangle Concrete Outdoor Handle Planter
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This designer on-trend architectural 27.5" long rectangular concrete planter is by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, crafted circa 1...
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Midcentury Two-Strand Rectangle Rattan Mirror
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Large rectangular mirror featuring a single-strand Rattan frame with an inner rattan border. Restored to new for you. All rattan, bamboo and wicker furniture has been painstakingly r...
Category

1950s American Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Rattan

Willy Guhl Square Flower Pot
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Square concrete planter by Willy Guhl. Made in Switzerland in the 1960s. Great condition. Original coloring and patina. Classic square planter...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

  • Willy Guhl Square Flower Pot
  • Willy Guhl Square Flower Pot
  • Willy Guhl Square Flower Pot
  • Willy Guhl Square Flower Pot
H 7.75 in W 9.75 in D 9.75 in
Willy Guhl for Eternit Large Rectangle Concrete Outdoor Handle Planter
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This designer on-trend architectural rectangular concrete planter is by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, crafted circa 1968, Switze...
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Custom Rectangle Stacked Mirror
By Venfield
Located in New York, NY
Custom tiered stacked mirror. Customization available in different sizes.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Mirror

  • Custom Rectangle Stacked Mirror
  • Custom Rectangle Stacked Mirror
  • Custom Rectangle Stacked Mirror
  • Custom Rectangle Stacked Mirror
H 32 in W 44 in D 3 in
Willy Guhl for Eternit Large Rectangle Concrete Outdoor Planter, 1968, Signed
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This designer on-trend architectural rectangular concrete planter is by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, crafted in 1968 Switzerlan...
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

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

Previously Available Items
Pair of Willy Guhl Chairs
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Willy Guhl chairs with cubed angular shape and wide seat. Fantastic patina throughout - Geometric in shape with flat arms and cantilevered seat Wonderful patina Sold as a pair
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete, Cement

  • Pair of Willy Guhl Chairs
  • Pair of Willy Guhl Chairs
  • Pair of Willy Guhl Chairs
  • Pair of Willy Guhl Chairs
H 27.5 in W 29 in D 19 in
Willy Guhl Table Lamp
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Willy Guhl table lamp in rare shape Matching pair available New linen shade.
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 13.5 in W 18.25 in D 8.25 in
Large Rectangular Willy Guhl Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rectangular Willy Guhl planters with wonderful patina. Large in scale and simple classic shape Multiple available - priced individually.
Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

  • Large Rectangular Willy Guhl Planters
  • Large Rectangular Willy Guhl Planters
  • Large Rectangular Willy Guhl Planters
  • Large Rectangular Willy Guhl Planters
H 15.75 in W 47.25 in D 15.75 in
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 31.5 in D 16 in
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 Triangle
  • Willy Guhl Triangle
  • Willy Guhl Triangle
  • Willy Guhl Triangle
H 15.75 in W 21 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 31.5 in L 17 in
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

  • Willy Guhl Biomorphic Pots
  • Willy Guhl Biomorphic Pots
  • Willy Guhl Biomorphic Pots
  • Willy Guhl Biomorphic Pots
H 10.25 in W 20.5 in D 20.5 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

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 available ...
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 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 21.5 in D 30.75 in

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 412 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 4 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, and Ludwig Walser. Prices for Willy Guhl furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at £160 and can go as high as £116,182, while a piece like these, on average, fetch £2,234.

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