Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
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
Willy Guhl Black Concrete Cone Flower Pot, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete cone flower pot by Swiss architect and industrial designer Willy Guhl. Made in the 1960s in Switzerland. Great faded black patina across the whole outer body of the planter....
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Petite Ridged Planters, 1970s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Petite ridged planters by Willy Guhl. Concrete planters in the shape of a rectangle with an upper rim and ridged sides. Great scale. Very good condition with similar patina on all 5 ...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl Goblet Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Small cement goblet planters by Swiss designer Willy Guhl. Gorgeous planter for indoors or outside. 3 available with varying color and patina. Priced individually.
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Olive Jar Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete olive jar planter by Willy Guhl, with great patina and prominent presence. Simple and elegant design perfect for any garden or patio. Excell...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Orange Concrete Cone Flower Pot, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful concrete cone flower pot by Swiss architect and industrial designer Willy Guhl. Made in the 1960s in Switzerland. Wonderful faded terracotta-coloured patina across the whol...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
Materials
Concrete
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. Simple and elegant design perfect for any garden or patio. Excelle...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Elephant Ear Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning concrete elephant ear planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Great vintage condition. Two available with different coloring...
Category
1960s American Vintage Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl Ridged Bin Planters, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique ridged planters by Willy Guhl in the shape of a trash bin. Indented handles on both sides. Different coloring and patina for each of the three planters available as shown. Fun...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
Materials
Concrete
Swiss Mid-Century Modern Conical Concrete Diable Planter by Willy Gulh, 1950s
By Willy Guhl
Located in MIlano, IT
Swiss Mid-Century Modern conical concrete Diable planter or vase by Willy Gulh, 1950s
Diable model planter or vase, entirely in concrete, with conical base structure and containing ...
Category
1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Petite Ridged Planter, 1970s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Petite ridged planters by Willy Guhl. Concrete planters in the shape of a rectangle with an upper rim and ridged sides. Great scale. Very good condition with similar patina on all 3 ...
Category
1970s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl for Eternit, Mint Pair of Mid-Century Modern Concrete Garden Planters
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in London, GB
Willy Guhl for Eternit, a rare pair of Mid-Century Modern concrete garden planters with conical hollow stands for the dish shaped planters. Stamped numbers 1 84 068 inside the bowl.
...
Category
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl, Extra Large Diablo Hourglass Planter in Wonderful Original Condition
By Willy Guhl
Located in London, GB
Willy Guhl, for Eternit Schweiz AG.
An extra large Diablo hourglass shaped planter in wonderful original condition, with no chips, no cracks and no damages. It is very rare to find ...
Category
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
Materials
Concrete
Massive Willy Guhl Olive Jar Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oversized concrete olive jar planter by Willy Guhl with great patina and prominent presence. Simple and elegant design perfect for any garden or patio. Excellent patina and vintage c...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Red Hourglass Planters, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Classic brick colored 'Diablo' hourglass planters by Swiss designer Willy Guhl for Eternit. Varying degree of patina to paint revealing the mottled cement beneath. Great vintage cond...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
Materials
Cement
Colossal Willy Guhl Olive Jar Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oversized concrete olive jar planter by Willy Guhl with great patina and prominent presence. Simple and elegant design perfect for any garden or patio. Gorgeous patina and wonderful ...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
Materials
Concrete
Monumental Green Willy Guhl Vertical Handkerchief Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning concrete planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. An iteration of his iconic handkerchief planter but as opposed to the traditional low profile handkerchief with wide leaf-lik...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl for Eternit, a Mid-Century Modern Concrete Garden Planter with Stand
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in London, GB
Willy Guhl for Eternit, a Mid-Century Modern concrete garden planter with hollow stand for the dish shaped planter.
Some paint losses to the upper underside, but otherwise in great ...
Category
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
Materials
Concrete
Colossal Willy Guhl Olive Jar Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oversized concrete olive jar planter by Willy Guhl with great patina and prominent presence. Simple and elegant design perfect for any garden or patio. Gorgeous speckled patina and e...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
Materials
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 winters. Massive, rare size. Good vintage condition. One other massive planter...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
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 Garden Ornaments
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl for Eternit, 2 Pairs Mid-Century Modern concrete Garden Dish Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in London, GB
Willy Guhl for Eternit, two matched pairs of Mid-Century Modern concrete garden dish planters in good condition.
Measures: Height - 11 inches W - 31.5 inches D n- 31.5 inches.
Height...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Olive Jar Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete olive jar planter by Willy Guhl in a beautiful brick red color. Simple and elegant design perfect for any garden or patio. Excellent patina and vintage condition. Manufactur...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
Materials
Concrete
Massive Willy Guhl Elephant Ear Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Massive fiber cement elephant ear planter by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. 5 available in incredible varying colors and patinas. Incredible design featuring a wide body tha...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
Materials
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. A variety of patina Great vintage condition. 3 available as shown in this listing. Priced in...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
Materials
Concrete
Colossal Willy Guhl Olive Jar Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oversized concrete olive jar planter by Willy Guhl with great patina and prominent presence. Simple and elegant design perfect for any garden or patio. Excellent patina and vintage c...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl 24" Quilted Concrete Trough Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete trough planters by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Just under 24" long. Quilted pattern on both sides. Factory drilled drainage holes. Perfect dep...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Flower Pots
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very rare set of Willy Guhl sculptural flower planters made of cement. Great sculptural objects. Hollow and open on both ends. Perfect for placing in soil and arranging plants/flower...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
Materials
Cement
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...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Hexagon Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic pieces of sculpture by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Concrete geometric planters in the shape of a hexagon. Cool sculptural pieces for indoor...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Rectangular Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic set of 22 rectangular planters by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Painted years ago in greyish/blue and worn down by years of Eur...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl Petite Box Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great sculptural box planters by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Made of fiber cement. Two with a lot of patina, and two on the cleaner side. Great petite planters. Perfect size. 4 available...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
Materials
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...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
Materials
Concrete
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...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
Materials
Concrete
Massive Willy Guhl Olive Jar Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete olive jar planter by Willy Guhl with great patina and prominent presence. Simple and elegant design perfect for any garden or patio. Incredible yellow patina and excellent v...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Chalice Shaped Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique concrete planters by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Planter in the shape of a chalice. Especially unique in that the base matches the top with pointed facets. Great vintage condi...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl White Basin Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large concrete planter by Willy Guhl in a cream paint with light patina. Low profile bin with a large diameter and 25" depth. Sturdy and substa...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
Materials
Concrete
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 Garden Ornaments
Materials
Cement
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 Garden Ornaments
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl garden ornaments for sale on 1stDibs.
Willy Guhl garden ornaments 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 garden ornaments, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 132 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 1 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original garden ornaments 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 garden ornaments by and Eternit. Prices for Willy Guhl garden ornaments can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $660 and can go as high as $7,800, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,800.
Questions About Willy Guhl Garden Ornaments
- 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 10, 2025Willy Guhl planters are made out of a variety of materials. For these furnishings, Guhl tended toward industrial materials, which he bent and shaped into organic forms for a striking juxtaposition. Much of his work was 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 Guhl's now-acclaimed planters in the material. Find a selection of Willy Guhl planters on 1stDibs.
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