Willy Guhl Planters and Jardinieres
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 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 Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Cement
$1,450 / item
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 Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Cement
Rectangular Balconia Planter Willy Guhl for Eternit, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Wichita, KS
Rectangular planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Planter is made of cement and has good color and patina. Great lines and clean design. This planter would be magnificen...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Willy Guhl Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Concrete
$540 Sale Price
20% Off
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 Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Concrete
$1,800 / item
Willy Guhl for Eternit Large Concrete Biomorphic Planters, 1960s
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit large biomorphic or clam shell shaped concrete planters or jardinières, Switzerland, 1960s. These exquisite planters are made from weather-resistan...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Monumental Vasque Concrete Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Monumental Vasque planter in concrete fiber board, bowl with inverted stand by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland circa 1960's.
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Concrete
Large Willy Guhl Organic Plant Organic Planter "Elephant ear" Model - 1950s
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Large Willy Guhl Organic Planter "Elephant ear" Model - 1950s
Switzerland 1950s - Outdoor planter
Broken corner : See photos
Measures : 80,5x83cm H:33cm
Material : Eternit
Wear co...
Category
20th Century Swiss Willy Guhl Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl Off-Kilter Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of off-kilter planters, designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit. A play on the classic diabolo form. Strong and robust, these tilted garden planters are sculpted from fibrous cement....
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Concrete
$6,500 / set
Green Willy Guhl Concrete Urn, 1960s Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete urn by Willy Guhl. Rare model in a beautiful washed out green patina with layers of finishes worn down over the years. Urn has a delicate cement ridge around the mouth as we...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Concrete Vase, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic concrete vase by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Great tabletop vase or planter in a unique weathered hand painted patina. Very unusual shape. Great indoors or outs...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Concrete
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 Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Concrete
$1,400 / item
Willy Guhl Petite Concrete Urn, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Petite concrete urn by Willy Guhl in a beautiful red patina. Urn has a delicate cement ridge around the mouth and two handles right under the upper rim. The body of the jar tapers do...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Planters and Jardinieres
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 Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Cement
$3,800 / item
A Collection of Tilted Planters by Willy Guhl, 1960's, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Collection of Tilted Planters by Willy Guhl, 1960's, Switzerland
Large // H 18.5" x D 25" // FDV11408
Small // H 14.5" x D 25" // FDV11513
*Wear consistent with age and use.
Col...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Concrete
$3,200 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Large Willy Guhl Diabolo Planters - 38” high
By Willy Guhl
Located in Richmond, VA
Large pair of the classic Willy Guhl diabolo planters- sold individually. 38” high
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Concrete
$2,700 / item
Willy Guhl Concrete Box with Lid, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural concrete crate by Willy Guhl. Handmade in Switzerland, in the 1960s. Rounded rectangular frame with indented ridge. With matching removable lid/cover. Great for outside st...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl for Eternit Large Concrete Biomorphic Planters, 1960s
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit large biomorphic or clam shell shaped concrete planters or jardinières, Switzerland, 1960s. These exquisite planters are made from weather-resistan...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Planters and Jardinieres
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 Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Cement
$2,200 / item
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 Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Cement
Concrete Marmite Planters by Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic sculptural concrete planters by Willy Guhl. Large jug with handles on both sides and resting on 3 feet. Great patina to each pie...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Cement
$2,500 / item
Pair of Willy Guhl Biomorphic Concrete Planters for Eternit. Switzerland, 1960's
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking pair of biomorphic concrete planters designed by the renowned Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, circa 1960's. These planters feature an organic, flowing form that re...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Planters and Jardinieres
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 Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Concrete
$10,500
Concrete Planter by Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland ca. 1960s
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Geneva, CH
Large eternit planter by Willy Guhl produced by Eternit AG, Switzerland ca. 1960s
Original shape.
85 x 85 x 19 cm
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Concrete
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 Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Concrete
$3,800 / item
Set of Three Willy Guhl Fibrous Cement Planters for Eternit. Switzerland, 1960's
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lovely set of three fibrous cement off-kilter tilted planters designed by renowned Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, circa 1960s. These iconic planters showcase Guhl’s minimali...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Cement
Brutalist planter, Willy Guhl for Eternit. Switzerland, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Barcelona, ES
Rectangular planter produced by the company "Eternit" in the 1960s, made of fiber cement, perfect for outdoor designs. Good original condition, with patina and marks that only the pa...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl Vintage Tilted Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
As of the mid-20th century, the work of Willy Guhl was a revolutionary feat of industry and design with a distinct style that transcends decades. True to form and function, Guhl worked with a mixture of cement and asbestos from Eternit. The lightweight material was groundbreaking, uncompromising form and structure with an emphasis on functionality. These beautiful tilted planters...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Willy Guhl Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Composition
$3,740 / set
Willy Guhl planter 1st edition brazilian white concrete circa 1950 pair
By Willy Guhl
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Willy Guhl fibroconcrete brazilian white circa 1950 pair of planters signed ETERNIT.
Category
1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Concrete
2 Small Spindle or Diabolo Planter Designed by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Mouscron, WHT
2 Small spindle or diabolo planter designed by Swiss architect Willy Guhl
The price is for one
Two are available.
Category
1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Concrete
Pair of Planters in Fiber Cement by Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
This pair of planters, model "oreille d'éléphant" was made of fiber cement by Willy Guhl (1915-2004) in the 1950's.
« Willy Guhl was an inventor, an experimenter, a resercher and a visionary. Despite that, he did not get lost in utopia. He reveals himself to be pragmatic almost a genius. » Robert Haussman
Willy Guhl was part of these historical designers historiques who have contributed to the international reputation of the Swiss design. He was one of the big representative of Neo-Functionalism.
From a carpenter father, he follows a furniture maker formation in the Kunstgewerbeschule of Zurich – School of applied arts of Zurich here he teaches from 1941 -, and becomes the director of the interior architecture department 10 years after. He leads in the late 1940's pionneer reaserches in the plastic furniture field. He develops then a knowledge about moulding technical that we allow him to reveal himself by transposing them on a new material : the Eternit, also called fibercement, which he is one of the first to use in Europe.
The Eternit is a kind of cement reinforce by asbestos and with a fiber texture which allows to create audacious pieces with new shapes. It takes the aspect of larges slabs to which it is possible to give a shape as long as they are not dried. Produced in the origin for the industry, it's a cheap material with an important resistance, so perfectly adapted for the fabrication of external furniture.
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Willy Guhl Planters and Jardinieres
Materials
Cement
$3,201 / set
Willy Guhl planters and jardinieres for sale on 1stDibs.
Willy Guhl planters and jardinieres 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 planters and jardinieres, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 350 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 1 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original planters and jardinieres 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 planters and jardinieres by Eternit, and Anton Bee.
Questions About Willy Guhl Planters and Jardinieres
- 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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