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Willy Guhl Sculptures

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
Set of 3 Triangular Planters by Willy Guhl, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare set of 1960’s triangular concrete planters designed by Swiss neo-functionalist and industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit in Switzerland. Each multifaceted planter ca...
Category

1960s Swiss Industrial Vintage Willy Guhl Sculptures

Materials

Concrete

Complete Set of Triangular Planters by Willy Guhl, 1974 Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Complete set of 1970s triangular concrete planters designed by Swiss neo-functionalist and industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit in Switzerland. Each multifaceted planter can be arranged in a multitude of ways. Each triangle is the same depth and width, with 6 different heights. Hexagonal base holds all 6 planters...
Category

1970s Swiss Industrial Vintage Willy Guhl Sculptures

Materials

Concrete

Pair of Triangular Planters by Willy Guhl, 1960s, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare pair of 1960’s triangular concrete planters designed by Swiss neo-functionalist and industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit in Switzerland. Each multifaceted planter...
Category

1960s Swiss Industrial Vintage Willy Guhl Sculptures

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Handkerchief Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Rare design with a nice patina with colors from beige to red. Made of fibre cement. Great coloring. Unique standalone sc...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Sculptures

Materials

Cement

Set of 3 Sculptural Triangular Planters by Willy Guhl, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 3 sculptural standing triangular concrete planters by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Can be placed upside down or right side. up. Each planter has a solid base to balance the wei...
Category

1960s Swiss Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Sculptures

Materials

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...
Category

1960s Swiss Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Sculptures

Materials

Concrete

Set of 4 Trapezoid Concrete Planters by Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique set of trapezoid stacking concrete planters by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. All trapezoids share the same dimensions. Pieces can be arranged in a multitude of ways. Gorgeous de...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Sculptures

Materials

Concrete

Related Items
Set of 5 Large Vintage "Diabolo" Jars by Willy Guhl Spindel Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Lyon, FR
Fiber cement structure, original white paint with patina of time on the whole set.
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1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Sculptures

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Willy Guhl Biomorphic Planters, 1960s Switzerland (Multiple Available)
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Malibu, US
Exceptional sculptural garden planters designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit in Switzerland circa 1960s, often referred to as his 'Clam Shell' planters. Resembling the architect's icon...
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Willy Guhl, Concrete Spindle Planter, Eternit, 1960s
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Berlin, DE
Willy Guhl, spindle planter, manufactured by Eternit in the 1960s. Very nice patina, rare lower model with larger diameter!
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1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Sculptures

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Cauldron Planter, Willy Guhl, 1960
By Willy Guhl
Located in Copenhagen K, DK
Handsome French garden planter, made of eternite in a gorgeous weathered hue, and designed by Willy Guhl. Cauldron shaped, with side handles, and raised from the ground by three smal...
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Willy Guhl for Eternit Large Rectangle Concrete Outdoor Handle Planter
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...
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Sculptures

Materials

Concrete

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.
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1950s Swiss Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Sculptures

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Willy Guhl Planters
Willy Guhl Planters
H 31.5 in W 17.75 in D 17.75 in
A pair of Willy Guhl planters. Switzerland 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in VILLERS-SUR-MER, FR
A pair of big Willy Guhl planter, cone model, edition Eternit Suisse 60s
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Sculptures

Materials

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 ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Willy Guhl Sculptures

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl 1960's Marmite Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Willy Guhl Marmite Planter produced for Eternit AG, circa 1960's is a true masterpiece for discerning collectors and enthusiasts of tim...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Willy Guhl Sculptures

Materials

Cement

Square Planter by Willy Guhl, Switzerland 1950s
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Very nice patina. We have a total of six of the same type and many other models by Willy Guhl. Swiss designer Willy Guhl (1915-2004) was well known for his weather resistant plante...
Category

1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Sculptures

Materials

Cement

A pair of Willy Guhl planters. Switzerland 60's
By Willy Guhl
Located in VILLERS-SUR-MER, FR
A very rare pair of planters Willy Guhl, large model diabolo, edition Eternit Switzerland 50s.
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Sculptures

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl Triangular Tooth Planters (multiple available)
By Willy Guhl
Located in Baambrugge, NL
Beautifully shaped triangular Tooth planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. (three available, price per piece). Made from fiber cement, the planters are lightweight and durable in a...
Category

1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Sculptures

Materials

Other

Previously Available Items
Willy Guhl Handkerchief Planter with Base, Switzerland, 1950's, Two Available
By Willy Guhl
Located in Austin, TX
Collectible Guhl cementitious planter with handkerchief shape and unique heavy base. Swiss, 1950's Two available. Sold separately. Dimension of Second Planter: H 14” x W 19” x D ...
Category

1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Sculptures

Materials

Cement

Set of 4 Triangular Planters by Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful set of triangular concrete planters by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. 4 triangles in two different heights, with the same depth and width. Pieces can be arranged in a multitud...
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1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Sculptures

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Concrete

Willy Guhl Heptagon Faceted Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique triangular concrete planter by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Different sides of the planters can be used as the base giving great versatility and style. 7 sided. Gorgeous detail...
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1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Sculptures

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Heptagon Faceted Planter
Willy Guhl Heptagon Faceted Planter
H 18.5 in W 18.5 in D 15.25 in
Set of 4 Triangular Planters by Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Important set of triangular concrete planters by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Only set on the planet for sale. 4 triangles of variable heights, with the same depth and width. Pieces can be arranged in a multitude of ways. Each triangle sits atop concrete ball...
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1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Sculptures

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Concrete

Set of 3 Sculptural Willy Guhl Concrete Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 3 sculptural concrete planters by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Very rare design. Made of fibre cement. Great coloring. U...
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1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Sculptures

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Cement

Set of 3 Sculptural Willy Guhl Concrete Planters
Set of 3 Sculptural Willy Guhl Concrete Planters
H 15.75 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Willy Guhl Tissue Handkerchief Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural planters by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Very rare design. Made of fibre cement. Great coloring. Unique standalone sculptures/ planters. Good condition. Two lar...
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1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Sculptures

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl Eternit Planters, Switzerland, 1960s
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Antwerp, BE
Brutalist and minimalist planters, Willy Guhl, Switzerland, 1960s 3 smaller size rectangular planters are available Willy Guhl was a pioneering Swiss furniture designer and one of ...
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1960s Swiss Brutalist Vintage Willy Guhl Sculptures

Materials

Concrete

Set of 5 Triangular Planters by Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Important set of triangular concrete planters by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Only set on the planet for sale. 5 triangles of variable heights, with the same depth and width. Pieces can be arranged in a multitude of ways. Each triangle sits atop concrete ball...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Sculptures

Materials

Concrete

Set of 5 Triangular Planters by Willy Guhl
Set of 5 Triangular Planters by Willy Guhl
H 28 in W 18.5 in D 16.25 in
Large Willy Guhl Tilted Planter, Old Patina, Switherland 1960, in Cement
By Willy Guhl
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Large planter in Cement handcrafted, made by Willy Guhl in tne 1960s. The artist was an Switzerland Architect, The original company who made this cement furniture was Ethernit. The ...
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Sculptures

Materials

Cement

Set of 6 Triangular Double Sided Planters by Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Extremely rare concrete planters by Willy Guhl. Triangular shape and able to be planted right side up, or upside down. Drainage holes inside. They look great spread out as a sculptur...
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1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Sculptures

Materials

Concrete

Set of 6 Willy Guhl Jigsaw Puzzle Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic sculptural planters by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Blue, red, green, white, black and ivory concrete planters in the shape of a jigsaw puzzle p...
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1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Sculptures

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Concrete

Set of 6 Willy Guhl Jigsaw Puzzle Planters
Set of 6 Willy Guhl Jigsaw Puzzle Planters
H 25.5 in W 10.5 in D 11.25 in
Rectangular Willy Guhl Handkerchief Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Extremely rare set of rectangular planters by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. We have over 100 pieces of Willy Guhl and have never seen these before. Very rare design. Made o...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Sculptures

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.

Willy Guhl sculptures 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 sculptures, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original sculptures by Willy Guhl were created in the industrial style in switzerland during the 20th century. Prices for Willy Guhl sculptures can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,800 and can go as high as $24,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $7,800.

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