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.
Willy Guhl Minimalist Trough Planter - Eternit AG, Switzerland, 1960's
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Bern, BE
Minimalist Planter Trough by Swiss Architect and Designer, Willy Guhl. Produced by Eternit SA, Switzerland ca. 1960 - 1969. Concrete fibre construction with drainage holes in base. ...
Concrete
Pair of 1950's minimalist planters by Swiss architect, Willy Guhl - Eternit AG
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Bern, BE
Pair of minimalist concrete plant trough's by prominent Swiss architect and designer, Willy Guhl. Made in Switzerland ca. 1950 - 1960. Produced by Eternit AG, Switzerland. Solid conc...
Concrete
Early Willy Guhl Planter Pot - Eternit AG, Switzerland, 1950's
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Bern, BE
Early 'Monumental' concrete flower pot by Swiss designer and architect, Willy Guhl. 1950's design. Solid concrete made in Switzerland 1950 - 1959. Produced by Eternit AG. Tapered s...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Planter - Eternit AG, Switzerland, 1960's
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Bern, BE
Minimalist square Planter by Swiss Architect, Willy Guhl. Produced by Eternit SA, Switzerland ca. 1960 - 1969. Concrete fibre construction. Beautiful patination with no structural da...
Concrete
Vintage Willy Guhl Handkerchief Planter, Swiss Design, Circa 1950-60
By Willy Guhl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A large, sculptural vintage Mid-Century modern Swiss Handkerchief or Elephant Ear planter designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Produced in a light weight reinforced cement, in good co...
Cement
Vintage Biomorphic Garden Planter by Willy Guhl, Swiss Design, 1950s
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A large, vintage Mid-Century modern Swiss biomorphic garden planter made of hand crafted light weight cement designed by Willy Guhl and produced by Eternit, in good condition. This s...
Cement
Vintage Swiss Garden Planter by Willy Guhl & Eternit, Circa 1950-1960
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sculptural, vintage Mid-Century modern Swiss Hankerchief or Elephant Ear garden planter or ornament by Willy Guhl and Eternit, in a light weight cement reinforced with fiber, in go...
Cement
$1,782Sale Price|20% Off
Willy Guhl Eternit Cement Planter or Basin, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Labrit, Landes
Sculptural concrete planter or basin designed by Willy Guhl, a famous Swiss designer and then edited by Eternit in 1950. In the 1950s, marked by designers' growing interest in innova...
Cement
Vintage Set of Six Willy Guhl Bowl Planters, Fiber-Cement, Circa 1950
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A set of six vintage Mid-Century modern saucer planters designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit, in good condition. Hand crafted from light weight fiber-cement, these iconic garden bowls ...
Cement, Metal, Iron
$1,000Sale Price|20% Off
Willy Guhl Conical Planter - Eternit AG, Switzerland #10
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Bern, BE
Original Willy Guhl Planter. Designed in 1951 and produced by Eternit SA, Switzerland. Designer: Willy Guhl 1951, CH Manufacturer: Eternit SA, CH Measurements: Height: 37 cm Dia...
Concrete
Willy Guhl, desipair of Concrete Ball Armchairs, circa 1970s
By Willy Guhl
Located in leucate, FR
Pair of ball armchairs created by designer Willy Guhl. Sculptural armchairs, organic design reminiscent of a mushroom. Ideal for a garden or around a ...
Concrete
Vintage planter by Willy Guhl for Eternit editions
By Willy Guhl
Located in AIGNAN, FR
Inclined diabolo planter designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit editions in the 1960s. Planter with an avant-garde design and conception, it does not lack character and modernity. It ...
Cement
Rare Willy Guhl Planter Pot - Eternit AG, Switzerland, 1950's
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Bern, BE
Early 'Monumental' concrete flower pot with original saucer by Swiss designer and architect, Willy Guhl. 1950's design. Solid concrete made in Switzerland 1950 - 1959. Produced by Et...
Concrete
1 Willy Guhl Planter - Eternit AG, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Bern, BE
Minimalist Planter Pot by Swiss Architect, Willy Guhl. Produced by Eternit SA, Switzerland ca. 1960 - 1969. Concrete fibre construction. Beautiful patination! Very good condition wi...
Concrete
Authentic Willy Guhl Tilt Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Atlanta, GA
Commonly titled the "Tilt" or "Tilted Saucer" Planter, produced during the 1950s and 1960s in collaboration with the Swiss manufacturer Eternit. It is crafted from durable fiber-cement (asbestos-free or early composition Eternit) and features a wide, shallow cement basin...
Concrete
$6,000 / set
Pair of Willy Guhl Loop Chairs, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Meet the chairs that bend, but never break the rules of design. Willy Guhl’s iconic Loop Chairs, offered here as a striking pair, are formed from continuous ribbons of sculptural cem...
Cement
Authentic Willy Guhl Tilt Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Atlanta, GA
Commonly titled the "Tilt" or "Tilted Saucer" Planter, produced during the 1950s and 1960s in collaboration with the Swiss manufacturer Eternit. It is crafted from durable fiber-cement (asbestos-free or early composition Eternit) and features a wide, shallow cement basin...
Concrete
20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Cement Garden Planter by Willy Guhl
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sculptural, large Mid-Century modern Swiss biomorphic garden planter by Willy Guhl and Eternit, in a light weight cement. This sculptural vintage garden ornament has been fiber-rei...
Cement
$3,000 / item
Willy Guhl Loop Chair, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Meet the chair that bends but never breaks the rules of design. Willy Guhl’s iconic Loop Chair is a single, continuous ribbon of sculptural cement. Its signature shape creates a play...
Cement
Willy Guhl Saucer Planter on Stand
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
31" Willy Guhl saucer planter on stand for Eternit Floating saucer planter on base Sculptural garden vessel The base can be flipped upside down for use ...
Concrete
$4,500 / item
Willy Guhl 47" Concrete Bowl Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic cement planter by Swiss designer Willy Guhl for Eternit. Concrete pedestal base with massive concrete bowl that sits on top. Bowl can sit flat or angled in a multitude of d...
Cement
$585Sale Price|49% Off
Willy Guhl for Eternit Large Rectangle Concrete Outdoor Handle Planter
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This designer on-trend architectural 23.5" long rectangular concrete planter is by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, crafted circa 1...
Concrete
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...
Concrete
Vintage Swiss Cone Planters by Willy Guhl, Cement, Mid-Century
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of vintage Mid-Century modern Swiss cone shaped planters made of hand crafted light weight cement designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit, in good condition. These sculptural garde...
Cement
Pair of Rectangular Tree Planters by Willy Guhl, 1960s Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing pair of rectangular concrete planters by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Fabricated from fiber-reinforced concrete, a material Guhl pioneered working with. These planters have his si...
Concrete
$2,500 / set
Willy Guhl Two-Piece Flower Pot
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique sculptural concrete planter by Willy Guhl with 2 pieces. Base is a round disc that holds the flower pot. The cylindrical flower pot...
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 ...
Cement
Willy Guhl Dog House, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing industrial cement dog kennel by Swiss designer Willy Guhl for Eternit. Large size with dark, heavy patina and lichen. Doggy door opening on left front side. A beautiful minim...
Cement
$1,900Sale Price|34% Off
Willy Guhl for Eternit 'Diablo' Concrete Hourglass Planter, c 1968
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
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. This sculptural hourglass shaped concrete planter has a grey exterior finish. The price is for a single Willy Guhl planter, we have the darker grey one showing in the main photo available. Some of the other ones have sold but contact us if you are looking for more Willy Guhl pots and planters. 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
Large Tapered Round Concrete Willy Guhl Planter
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Chireno, TX
Large tapered round concrete Willy Guhl planter circa 1960s.
Concrete
Willy Guhl Colossal Chalice Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique concrete planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Planter in the shape of a chalice with faceted edges along the top and bottom. Great age and patina from decades of European wi...
Concrete
$950Sale Price|25% Off
Willy Guhl Conical Planter - Eternit AG, Switzerland #5
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Bern, BE
Monumental concrete planter by Swiss furniture designer, Willy Guhl. Solid concrete construction. Made in Switzerland 1960 - 1970. Produced by Eternit AG. Conical form with drainage...
Concrete
Concrete Saucer Planter with Massive Ponytail Palm Tree, 2000s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Massive circular planter hand-made and designed by Eternit, Switzerland. Planter is crafted from a special fiberglass and concrete material. Heavy and sturdy piece of functional art ...
Concrete
$2,500 / item
Willy Guhl Concrete Vase, 1969, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic concrete vases by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Great tabletop vase or planter in a stunning natural patina. Very unusual shape. Great indoors or outside. Each pl...
Concrete
$3,000 / item
Willy Guhl Chalice Shaped Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique concrete planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Planter in the shape of a chalice. Gorgeous patinas and lichen on these planters. Great vintage condition. 3 available as shown...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Monumental Chalice Style Concrete Planter 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Meer, VAN
Willy Guhl Monumental Chalice Style Concrete Planter, Switzerland, 1960s. This is a monumental mid century concrete planter by Willy Guhl. This chalice like design is one of his bes...
Concrete
$700 / item
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...
Cement
Rare Willy Guhl for Eternit Molar Shape Planter
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Chicago, IL
Very rare edition from Willy Guhl for Eternit. The configuration has become know as the “Molar” or” tooth” planter because of its three footed design. It's the edition « Eternit AG/E...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Conical Planter - Eternit AG, Switzerland #11
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Bern, BE
Minimalist Conical Planter by Swiss designer and architect, Willy Guhl. Produced by Eternit AG. Constructed from poured concrete fibre. Made in Switzerland, 1960 - 1969. Tapered s...
Concrete
Sculptural Biomorphic Garden Planter by Willy Guhl, Swiss Design
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sculptural biomorphic garden planter by Willy Guhl and Eternit, in a light weight cement, in good condition. This sculptural vintage garden ornament has been fiber-reinforced. Drai...
Cement
Willy Guhl, Steel and Concrete Design Bench, Switzerland, circa 1950s
By Willy Guhl
Located in leucate, FR
Mid-century floating bench designed by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Seater concrete monocoque is in good condition and the tubular steel base has been completely restored, sanded and...
Concrete, Steel
$888Sale Price|20% Off
Willy Guhl MONUMENTAL Concrete Planter - Eternit AG, Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Bern, BE
Monumental concrete flower pot by Swiss designer, Willy Guhl. 1950's design. Solid concrete made in Switzerland. Produced by Eternit AG. Tapered structure with a ribbed upper secti...
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...
Cement
Willy Guhl Diabolo Garden Planter, Mid-Century Modern Fiber Cement, Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This exceptional mid-century modern garden planter is an authentic example of the iconic diabolo form designed by renowned Swiss designer Willy Guhl, one of the most influential figu...
Cement
Vintage Willy Guhl Swiss Fiber Cement Tilt Planter - Mid-Century Modern
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This striking vintage tilt planter was designed by renowned Swiss modernist Willy Guhl for Eternit in the mid-20th century. Crafted from durable fiber cement, the planter showcases G...
Cement
$1,500 / item
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...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Small Bowl Planter, 1950s, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare 1950s planter bowl designed by Swiss neo-functionalist and Industrial Design Pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit in Switzerland. Sculpted from fiber cement which has slowly weathere...
Cement
Willy Guhl Hankerchief Planter, Hand-Crafted Concrete, Vintage 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Atlanta, GA
Frequently called the "Mouchoir" or "Elephant Ear" planter. An undulating mid-century masterpiece that mimics a square piece of soft fabric draped over an invisible center and frozen...
Concrete
$2,800 / item
Willy Guhl Concrete Urn, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete urns by Willy Guhl. Three available with varying degrees of patina and lichen. Rare model. Urns have a delicate cement ridge around the mouth as well as around the widest pa...
Concrete
Rare Willy Guhl “Molar” Design, Sculptural Planter in Cement, Switzerland 1950s
By Willy Guhl
Located in leucate, FR
A rare and highly sculptural “Molar” planter by Swiss architect and designer Willy Guhl, dating from the 1950s. Designed with an unmistakably organic and architectural vocabulary, th...
Cement
Willy Guhl Concrete Urn, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
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...
Concrete
$3,000 / item
Willy Guhl Chalice Shaped Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique concrete planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Planter in the shape of a chalice. A variety of patina Great vintage condition. 3 available as shown in this listing. Priced in...
Concrete
$510Sale Price / item|51% Off
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...
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...
Concrete
$2,400 / item
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.
Concrete
Concrete Saucer Planter with Monumental Ponytail Palm Tree, 2000s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Massive circular planter hand made and designed by Eternit, Switzerland. Planter is crafted from a special fiberglass and concrete material. Heavy and sturdy piece of functional art...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Concrete Peanut Planter, 1960s, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Monumental concrete basin planter by Willy Guhl. Handmade in Switzerland in the 1960s. Just under 4 feet in length. handmade in the shape of a peanut. P...
Concrete
Monumental Willy Guhl 59" Adjustable Two-Piece Concrete Bowl Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic cement planter by Swiss designer Willy Guhl for Eternit. Large concrete pedestal base with massive concrete bowl that sits on top. Bowl can sit flat or angled in a multitud...
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 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...
Concrete