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Willy Guhl Lighting

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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335
1,468
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Creator: Willy Guhl
Willy Guhl Table Lamp
Willy Guhl Table Lamp

Willy Guhl Table Lamp

By Willy Guhl

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

Willy Guhl table lamp with stunning rust patina New linen shade

Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Lighting

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl Large Concrete Table Lamp, 1960s Switzerland
Willy Guhl Large Concrete Table Lamp, 1960s Switzerland

Willy Guhl Large Concrete Table Lamp, 1960s Switzerland

By Willy Guhl

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Stunning concrete Willy Guhl lamp by Eternit. Concrete made in Swizterland. Newly fitted as a lamp, re-wired with a new custom linen shade with rounded edges and light diffusor on to...

Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Lighting

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Concrete Table Lamp, 1960s Switzerland
Willy Guhl Concrete Table Lamp, 1960s Switzerland

Willy Guhl Concrete Table Lamp, 1960s Switzerland

By Willy Guhl

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Stunning concrete Willy Guhl lamp by Eternit with teak top cover. Concrete made in Switzerland. Newly fitted as a lamp, re-wired with a new custom linen shade with rounded edges and ...

Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Lighting

Materials

Concrete

Set of 3 Willy Guhl Concrete Table Lamps, 1960s Switzerland
Set of 3 Willy Guhl Concrete Table Lamps, 1960s Switzerland

Set of 3 Willy Guhl Concrete Table Lamps, 1960s Switzerland

By Willy Guhl

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Fantastic and rare concrete lamps by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Circular cutouts allow light through and add to the design. Newly wired with one socket inside each with on/off switch on...

Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Lighting

Materials

Concrete

Extra Large Pair of Willy Guhl Lamps
Extra Large Pair of Willy Guhl Lamps

Extra Large Pair of Willy Guhl Lamps

By Willy Guhl

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

Massive Pair of Table Lamps by Willy Guhl with wonderful patina New linen shade and impressive in scale. Priced as a pair.

Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Lighting

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl Large Table Lamp
Willy Guhl Large Table Lamp

Willy Guhl Large Table Lamp

By Willy Guhl

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

Willy Guhl table lamp in varying patina New linen shade Pairs available.

Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Lighting

Materials

Cement

Petite Willy Guhl Lamps
Petite Willy Guhl Lamps

Petite Willy Guhl Lamps

By Willy Guhl

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

Pair of petite scale lamps by Willy Guhl with new linen shade and concrete base. Teak wood and newly rewired Wonderful patina. Priced as a pair.

Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Lighting

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Table Lamp
Willy Guhl Table Lamp

Willy Guhl Table Lamp

By Willy Guhl

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

Petite Willy Guhl concrete table lamp with new linen shade Priced individually. Measures : H - 14.75" D - 9.25" L - 9.25".

Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Lighting

Materials

Cement

Pair of Willy Guhl Lamps
Pair of Willy Guhl Lamps

Pair of Willy Guhl Lamps

By Willy Guhl

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

Pair of Table Lamps by Willy Guhl with wonderful patina Medium in size / short and wide in shape New linen shade. Priced as a pair.

Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Lighting

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl Concrete Table Lamp, 1960s Switzerland
Willy Guhl Concrete Table Lamp, 1960s Switzerland

Willy Guhl Concrete Table Lamp, 1960s Switzerland

By Willy Guhl

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Stunning concrete Willy Guhl lamp by Eternit with teak top cover. Concrete made in Swizterland. Newly fitted as a lamp, re-wired with a new custom linen shade and light diffusor on t...

Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Lighting

Materials

Concrete

Pair of Medium Willy Guhl Lamps
Pair of Medium Willy Guhl Lamps

Pair of Medium Willy Guhl Lamps

By Willy Guhl

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

Pair of medium sized Willy Guhl table lamps with great natural patina. Newly Rewired. New Linen Shade.

Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Lighting

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl Light Up Concrete Side Table, 1960s Switzerland
Willy Guhl Light Up Concrete Side Table, 1960s Switzerland

Willy Guhl Light Up Concrete Side Table, 1960s Switzerland

By Willy Guhl

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Stunning concrete side table with built in lamp by Eternit. Made in Swizterland. Newly rewired. Gorgeous piece of collectible design. Can be used indoors...

Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Lighting

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Large Concrete Table Lamp, 1960s Switzerland
Willy Guhl Large Concrete Table Lamp, 1960s Switzerland

Willy Guhl Large Concrete Table Lamp, 1960s Switzerland

By Willy Guhl

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Stunning concrete Willy Guhl lamp by Eternit with teak top cover. Concrete made in Swizterland. Newly fitted as a lamp, re-wired with a new custom linen shade with rounded edges and ...

Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Lighting

Materials

Concrete

Pair of Willy Guhl Lamps
Pair of Willy Guhl Lamps

Pair of Willy Guhl Lamps

By Willy Guhl

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

Pair of Table lamps by Willy Guhl in unique oblong shape. New linen shade with Walnut wood top, brass neck and newly rewired Wonderful patina. Priced as a pair.

Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Lighting

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl Table Lamp
Willy Guhl Table Lamp

Willy Guhl Table Lamp

By Willy Guhl

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

Willy Guhl table lamp in varying patina's New linen shade Pairs available.

Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Lighting

Materials

Cement

Pair of Tall Willy Guhl Lamps
Pair of Tall Willy Guhl Lamps

Pair of Tall Willy Guhl Lamps

By Willy Guhl

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

Pair of tall Table Lamps by Willy Guhl with wonderful patina New linen shade. Priced as a pair.

Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Lighting

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl Concrete Table Lamp, 1960s Switzerland
Willy Guhl Concrete Table Lamp, 1960s Switzerland

Willy Guhl Concrete Table Lamp, 1960s Switzerland

By Willy Guhl

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Fantastic rare concrete lamp by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Circular cutouts allow light through. One bulb inside each with on/off switch on the cord. Lovely soft grey color with subtle ...

Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Lighting

Materials

Concrete

Pair of Willy Guhl Lamps
Pair of Willy Guhl Lamps

Pair of Willy Guhl Lamps

By Willy Guhl

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

Pair of Table Lamps by Willy Guhl with wonderful patina New linen shade. Priced as a pair.

Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Lighting

Materials

Cement

Pair of Medium Willy Guhl Lamps
Pair of Medium Willy Guhl Lamps

Pair of Medium Willy Guhl Lamps

By Willy Guhl

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

Pair of medium sized Willy Guhl table lamps with great natural patina. Newly Rewired. New Linen Shade.

Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Lighting

Materials

Cement

Set of 3 Willy Guhl Concrete Table Lamps, 1960s Switzerland
Set of 3 Willy Guhl Concrete Table Lamps, 1960s Switzerland

Set of 3 Willy Guhl Concrete Table Lamps, 1960s Switzerland

By Willy Guhl

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Fantastic and rare concrete lamps by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Circular cutouts allow light through and add to the design. One bulb inside each with on/off switch on the cord. Lovely s...

Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Lighting

Materials

Concrete

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Previously Available Items
Pair of Tall Willy Guhl Lamps
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Pair of Tall Willy Guhl Lamps

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H 21.75 in W 10.25 in D 10.25 in

Pair of Tall Willy Guhl Lamps

By Willy Guhl

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

Pair of Tall Table Lamps by Willy Guhl with wonderful patina New linen shade. Priced as a pair.

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1950s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Lighting

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Pair of Willy Guhl Lamps with Patina

Pair of Willy Guhl Lamps with Patina

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H 15.75 in W 9.25 in D 8.25 in

Pair of Willy Guhl Lamps with Patina

By Willy Guhl

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Pair of Table Lamps by Willy Guhl with wonderful patina New linen shade. Priced as a pair.

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1950s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Lighting

Materials

Cement

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Willy Guhl Table Lamp

Willy Guhl Table Lamp

Sold

H 20.75 in W 15.25 in D 15.25 in

Willy Guhl Table Lamp

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Located in Beverly Hills, CA

Willy Guhl table lamp with beautiful speckled blue paint patina New linen shade

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1950s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Lighting

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Cement

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Pair of Willy Guhl Lamps

Pair of Willy Guhl Lamps

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H 17 in W 10 in D 10 in

Pair of Willy Guhl Lamps

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Located in Beverly Hills, CA

Pair of Table Lamps by Willy Guhl with wonderful patina New linen shade. Priced as a pair.

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1950s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Lighting

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Cement

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Pair of Tall Willy Guhl Table Lamps

Pair of Tall Willy Guhl Table Lamps

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H 27.75 in W 12 in D 12 in

Pair of Tall Willy Guhl Table Lamps

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Handsome pair of tall Willy Guhl table lamps with great patina and slender scale. Newly rewired with new Linen shade.

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Pair of Willy Guhl Table Lamps with Angled Shade

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Pair of Tall Willy Guhl Lamps

Pair of Tall Willy Guhl Lamps

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H 29.25 in W 14 in D 14 in

Pair of Tall Willy Guhl Lamps

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Willy Guhl concrete table lamp with angular linen shade. Beautiful Patina throughout Newly rewired with silk cord

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Pair of Tall Willy Guhl Table Lamps

Pair of Tall Willy Guhl Table Lamps

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H 28.25 in W 13.25 in D 13.25 in

Pair of Tall Willy Guhl Table Lamps

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Located in Beverly Hills, CA

Handsome pair of tall Willy Guhl table lamps with great patina and slender scale. Newly rewired with new Linen shade.

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1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Lighting

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Cement

Pair of Willy Guhl Concrete Table Lamps, 1960s Switzerland
Pair of Willy Guhl Concrete Table Lamps, 1960s Switzerland

Pair of Willy Guhl Concrete Table Lamps, 1960s Switzerland

By Willy Guhl

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Stunning pair concrete Willy Guhl lamps by Eternit with teak top cover. Concrete made in Swizterland. Newly fitted as a lamp, re-wired with a new custom linen shade with rounded edge...

Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Lighting

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Concrete Table Lamp, 1960s Switzerland
Willy Guhl Concrete Table Lamp, 1960s Switzerland

Willy Guhl Concrete Table Lamp, 1960s Switzerland

By Willy Guhl

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Stunning concrete Willy Guhl lamp by Eternit with teak top cover. Concrete made in Swizterland. Newly fitted as a lamp, re-wired with a new custom linen shade with rounded edges and ...

Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Lighting

Materials

Concrete

Pair of Tall Willy Guhl Lamps
Pair of Tall Willy Guhl Lamps

Pair of Tall Willy Guhl Lamps

Sold

H 28.5 in W 13.25 in D 13.25 in

Pair of Tall Willy Guhl Lamps

By Willy Guhl

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

Handsome pair of Willy Guhl table lamps with warm white patina and great slender scale. Newly rewired with new Linen shade.

Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Lighting

Materials

Cement

Pair of Willy Guhl Concrete Table Lamps, 1960s Switzerland
Pair of Willy Guhl Concrete Table Lamps, 1960s Switzerland

Pair of Willy Guhl Concrete Table Lamps, 1960s Switzerland

By Willy Guhl

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Stunning pair of large concrete Willy Guhl lamps by Eternit with teak top cover. Concrete made in Swizterland. Newly fitted as a lamp, re-wired with a new custom linen shade and ligh...

Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Lighting

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl lighting for sale on 1stDibs.

Willy Guhl lighting 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 lighting, although beige editions of this piece are particularly popular. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider lighting by Robert Haussmann, J. Luber Ag, and J. Lüber Swiss. Prices for Willy Guhl lighting can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $5,500 and can go as high as $18,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,500.
Questions About Willy Guhl Lighting
  • 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 10, 2025
    Willy 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.