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.
Mid-Century Cast Concrete Garden Planter, Willy Guhl, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Odense, DK
A sculptural mid-century garden planter in cast concrete, designed with a wide, shallow bowl resting on an elegant pedestal base. The form combines classical inspiration with a clean...
Cast Stone, Concrete, Cement
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
20th Century Swiss Modern Cement Biomorphic Garden Planter by Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sculptural, Mid-Century modern Swiss biomorphic garden planter by Willy Guhl in a light weight cement, in good condition. This vintage Eternit garden ornament has been fiber-reinfo...
Cement
Willy Guhl Planter, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Čelinac, BA
Concrite planter by swiss architect Willy Guhl 1960s.
Concrete
Rectangular Planter by Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland, 1950s
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Willy Guhl designed for Eternit, Switzerland. These planters are made from fiberated cement that is lightweight, strong and durable in all climates. The typical signs of use an...
Cement
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
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 for Eternit Square Fiber Cement Planters, Switzerland, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Round Top, TX
A rare grouping of petite square planters designed by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. These smaller-scale square vessels with handles are far less commonly found than their l...
Concrete
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 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
Sculptural Biomorphic Garden Planter by Willy Guhl, Swiss Design
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
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 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
Willy Guhl Modular Concrete Table, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Add a brutalist flare to your interior with this piece by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. A sculptural concrete rectangle with a hollow interior and curved edges, this object is incredib...
Concrete
1960's Willy Guhl Clam Shell Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredible cast concrete clam shell planter made in Switzerland, 1960's. Vintage piece with great modern form by Willy Guhl, perfect for indoor or ...
Concrete
no 3 of 3 - gray spindel PLANT POT architectural planter willy guhl 1950s
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Mannheim, DE
1950's planter designed by Swiss architects Willy Guhl and Anton Bee in 1951. It is the small version of the so called "Spindel" and perfect for smaller terraces or gardens. It is ma...
Cement
Willy Guhl Monumental Cone Planter on Stand, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Monumental Willy Guhl cone planter with twisted iron base. Three triangular legs that each come to a point give this base a unique tripod desig...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Cauldron Planters by Eternit, Vintage Swiss Design, 1950s
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of vintage Willy Guhl Cauldron-shaped planters elevated of short three legs and two lateral handles, in good condition. Each of the Swiss Eternit garden planters are created i...
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
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
Rare Willy Guhl Dog House
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Massive cement dog kennel by Swiss designer Willy Guhl. Structurally very solid. Fantastic sculpture for the home, inside or out. Very rare Willy Guhl item....
Cement
Willy Guhl MONUMENTAL Concrete Planter - Eternit AG, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Bern, CH
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
Swiss Concrete Ball Planters, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete Swiss ball planters in the style of Willy Guhl. Great patina to each planter. Great for indoors or outside. Priced individually. Other sizes av...
Concrete
Large Tapered Round Concrete Willy Guhl Planter
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Chireno, TX
Large tapered round concrete Willy Guhl planter circa 1960s.
Concrete
Mid-Century Modern Elephant Ear Planter by Willy Guhl, Swiss, 1950s
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage, sculptural Mid-Century modern Swiss Handkerchief or Elephant Ear garden planter by Willy Guhl and Eternit in a light weight cement, reinforced with fiber, in good conditio...
Cement
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 Petite Handkerchief Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural handkerchief planters by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Rare design with a mossy green patina over grey concrete. Made of fibre cement. Great coloring. Unique sta...
Cement
Vintage Willy Guhl Square Planter with Natural Weathered Patina
By Willy Guhl
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This vintage square planter is an understated yet highly sculptural example of mid-century European garden design by Willy Guhl, one of the most influential designers associated with...
Cast Stone, Concrete
Willy Guhl Conical Planter - Eternit AG, Switzerland #10
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Bern, CH
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
Triangular Footed Planters by Willy Guhl, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural triangular concrete planters by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Each planter has a concrete leg at each corner of the planter which allows the planter to float a couple of inc...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Loop Chairs and Table Set, 1960s, Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl, Ludwig Walser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful pair of concrete 'loop' chairs by Willy Guhl with a table/stool by Ludwig Walser. A beautiful pastel rouge color on one chair and a pastel violet on the other with the tabl...
Cement
Willy Guhl Tilted Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tilted concrete "soup-cup" planters by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Great patina and coloring to each planter. Excellent vintage condition. Great planter and standalone sculpture for ...
Cement
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 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
Willy Guhl for Eternit Tilted Spindle Concrete Planter, circa 1968
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful tilted spindle concrete planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, circa 1968, Switzerland. This special 'tilted' hourglass shaped concrete spindel planter has a ...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Conical Planter - Eternit AG, Switzerland #5
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Bern, CH
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
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
Tall Conical Garden Planters by Willy Guhl for Eternit, Swiss, 1970s
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of vintage late Mid-Century modern Swiss garden planters designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit, in good condition. The tall conical shaped garden ornaments are made of light weig...
Cement
Willy Guhl New Production Spindel Hourglass Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
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...
Cement
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Loop Chairs and Loop Table by Willy Guhl for Eternit
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Magnificent pair of Loop Chairs plus a Loop Table designed in 1954 by Willy Guhl for Eternit SA of Switzerland. These iconic garden chairs and table are made of a continuous sheet ...
Cement
Vintage Willy Guhl Large Tilt Concrete Planter - Mid-Century Modern Sculpture
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This vintage Willy Guhl shallow concrete bowl planter embodies the timeless elegance of Swiss mid-century modern design. Crafted in the 1960s–70s, the piece is part of Guhl’s celebra...
Concrete
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
Vintage Swiss Cone Planters by Willy Guhl, Cement, Mid-Century
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
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 diabolos planters by Willy Guhl from the 60s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Pairs of “Diabolo” planters by Swiss designer Willy Guhl, produced by Eternite in the 1970s. Fiber cement structure, original white paint. Beautiful vintage condition, with a nice pa...
Cement
Mid-Century Swiss Willy Guhl Marmite Planter (Two available)
By Willy Guhl
Located in New Orleans, LA
The Willy Guhl Cauldron or Marmite planter is a striking piece of design, created by Swiss designer Willy Guhl in the 1950s. Known for its sculptural form and simple yet elegant appe...
Concrete
Willy Guhl for Eternit Rectangle Concrete Outdoor Handle Planter, circa 1968
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
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 for Eternit Large Sized Tilted Spindle Concrete Planter, circa 1968
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large sized (18" tall and 25" wide) tilted spindle concrete planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, circa 1968, Switzerland. This special 'tilted' hourglass shaped concr...
Concrete
Mid Century Eternit Sandbox (Sandkasten) by Willy Guhl, Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Bern, CH
Mid century minimalist concrete Sandbox planter by prominent Swiss interior architect and furniture designer, Willy Guhl (* 6. Juli 1915 in Stein am Rhein; † 4. Oktober 2004 in Hemis...
Concrete
Small pair of diabolo garden planters Willy Guhl 60s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Set of two "Diabolo" planters by Swiss designer Willy Guhl, produced by Eternite in the 1970s. Fiber cement structure, original gray paint. Beautiful vintage condition, with a nice p...
Cement
Large 'Handkerchief' Concrete Planter by Willy Guhl for Eternit, c. 1968
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This beautiful large sized (35" diameter) 'Handkerchief' concrete planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, circa 1968 Switzerland in a lovely patinated red exterior finish ...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Hexagonal Planter - Eternit AG, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Bern, CH
Rare Hexagonal Planter by Swiss Architect, Willy Guhl. Produced by Eternit SA, Switzerland ca. 1960 - 1969. Concrete fibre construction. Beautiful patination with no structural damag...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Tooth Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique cement planter by Willy Guhl. Triangular shape with faceted sides. Great piece of sculpture for indoors or outside. 7 available. Priced individually. Very good vintage conditi...
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.
Concrete
Rare Willy Guhl Fiber Cement Rectangular Planter with Aged Patina
By Willy Guhl
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A rare and authentic Willy Guhl rectangular planter, crafted from durable Eternit fiber cement, showcasing a beautifully weathered patina with layers of chipping green, white, and gr...
Cement
Large 21.65" Diam. 11.6" Tall Tapered Concrete W. Guhl Eternit Planter A+ Patina
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Basel, BS
One conical concrete planter created by Willy Guhl for Eternit. We currently have three available, sold individually, but we can arrange combined shipping if you would like to purcha...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Planters Set of 2 for Eternit, Mid-Century Modern Clam Shell Design
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This striking pair of sculptural planters was designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit in the mid-20th century. Crafted from fiber cement, these biomorphic planters feature an organic, und...
Cement
Willy Guhl Concrete Loop Chairs, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Iconic pair of concrete loop chairs by Willy Guhl. This pair of chairs were designed by Willy Guhl in 1954. Guhl watched as the Eternit fiber cement panels were fabricated with a mac...
Cement
Vintage Swiss Diablo Planter by Willy Guhl, Cement, 1950s Design
By Willy Guhl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sculptural, vintage Swiss Diablo Eternit spindle garden planter made of light weight cement, designed by Willy Guhl, in good condition. The detailed tall planter is reinforced with...
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.
Concrete
Willy Guhl Wide Diablo Planter by Eternit, Mid-Century Concrete
By Willy Guhl
Located in Wichita, KS
Willy Guhl Diablo Planter - After opening his first design studio in 1939 at the age of 24, Swiss-born Willy Guhl (1915-2004) went on to become a leading industrial inventor, educato...
Concrete