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.
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 ...
Concrete
$6,500
Willy Guhl Table Lamp
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Willy Guhl table lamp with stunning rust patina New linen shade
Cement
$5,000 / item
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...
Concrete
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 ...
Concrete
$9,500
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.
Concrete
$5,500 / item
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".
Cement
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...
Concrete
$6,500
Willy Guhl Table Lamp
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Willy Guhl table lamp with beautiful speckled blue paint patina New linen shade
Cement
$5,500 / item
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 ...
Concrete
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.
Cement
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...
Concrete
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...
Concrete
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...
Concrete
$5,500
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.
Cement
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.
Cement
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.
Cement
Midcentury Wicker and Rattan Italian Table Lamp, 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing midcentury wicker and rattan table lamp. This fantastic piece was designed in Italy during the 1960s. Having a wicker lampshade, the light diffusion is incredibly warm and...
Bamboo, Wicker, Straw, Rattan
Large Gatto Beige Cocoon Table Lamps by Castiglioni for Flos, Italy 1960s
By Flos, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Roma, IT
Magnificent first edition large Gatto cocoon table lamps designed by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni and produced by Flos in Italy during the 1960s. The lamps are signed inside....
Metal
1960s French Ceramic Table Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage ceramic lamp from Vallauris, France, 1960's. Glazed ceramic base and handle in light grey coloring. Lovely circular appliqué details on handle and neck. Newly rewired with ne...
Ceramic, Linen
$4,688
H 24.41 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Willy Rizzo Large Table Lamp in Tortoiseshell Lucite and Chrome, Italy 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Extraordinary and unique massive table lamp in chrome-plated steel and tortoiseshell effect lucite. This striking lamp was designed by Willy Rizzo and produced in Italy during the 19...
Metal, Chrome
Willy Daro Bronze and Agate Lamp
By Willy Daro
Located in Miami, FL
Superb small lamp by Willy Daro in bronze and Agate. The light come through the stone. US rewired and in Working condition 1 bulb 25watts max.
Bronze
Panoplie Petite Iron Tripod Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Petite iron tripod lamp with slender legs and tapered feet. New wiring and new oyster linen shade. Multiple available, sold individually. Takes...
Iron
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.
Cement
1980s Lamp Attributed to Willy Daro
By Willy Daro
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
1980s lamp attributed to Willy Daro in brass with a piece of agate. One light.
Agate, Brass
Willy Rizzo "Love" Lamp, Italy
By Willy Rizzo
Located in San Francisco, CA
Willy Rizzo "Love" Lamp, Italy. Sophisticated chrome and brass decorative table lamp. Made with high quality construction techniques and materials. Illuminates a lovely all around gl...
Brass, Chrome
$4,808 / set
H 27.56 in Dm 11.82 in
Mid-Century Modern Rare and Large Ceramic Table Lamps, Sweden, 1960s
By Armatur Hantverk Tibro
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
This set of rare and large table lamps was produced in Sweden during the late 1960 early 1970s. Made in ceramic with a wonderful green / red glaze combined with a brass base bottom...
Brass
Scandinavian Modern Table Lamp Falkenbergs Belysning Sweden, 1960s
By Falkenbergs Belysning
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
This lamp was made in Sweden at Falkenbergs Belysning. It has an adjustable height and angle arm, and is made in brass, wooden steam, and cast-iron base. Good working condition wi...
Brass
$2,765
H 28.35 in Dm 19.69 in
Tommaso Barbi Signed Large "Sun" Murano Glass and Brass Table Lamp, Italy 1960s
By Tommaso Barbi
Located in Roma, IT
Spectacular "Sun" Mid-Century large table lamp in Murano mouth-blown orange and yellow glass with brass details. This incredibly rare and stylish lamp was designed by Tommaso Barbi a...
Brass
Pair of Tall Willy Guhl Table Lamps
By Willy Guhl
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.
Cement
Pair of Willy Guhl Table Lamps with Angled Shade
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Handsome pair of tall Willy Guhl table lamps with great patina and slender scale. Newly rewired with new angled linen shade.
Concrete
Pair of Tall Willy Guhl Lamps
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Willy Guhl concrete table lamp with angular linen shade. Beautiful Patina throughout Newly rewired with silk cord
Cement
Pair of Tall Willy Guhl Table Lamps
By Willy Guhl
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.
Cement
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...
Concrete
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 ...
Concrete
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.
Cement
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...
Concrete
Pair of Willy Guhl Concrete Table Lamps
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning concrete Willy Guhl lamps by Eternit with teak top cover. Concrete cubes made in Switzerland. Newly fitted as a lamp, re-wired with a new custom linen shade and light diffus...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Lamps
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Pair of Willy Guhl table lamps with great patina Newly rewired New Linen shade
Concrete
Gigantic Willy Guhl Table Lamp
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Gigantic Willy Guhl concrete table lamp with beautiful patina. New square linen shade
Cement
Willy Guhl Table Lamp
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Willy Guhl table lamp in rare shape Matching pair available New linen shade.
Cement