Mid-Century Modern Willy Guhl Extra Large Round Concrete Planter with Stand
View Similar Items
Mid-Century Modern Willy Guhl Extra Large Round Concrete Planter with Stand
About the Item
- Creator:Eternit (Manufacturer),Willy Guhl (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 17.72 in (45 cm)Diameter: 59.06 in (150 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Unknown
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses.
- Seller Location:Doornspijk, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1251219632152
Willy Guhl
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.
- Mid-Century Modern Large Diablo Planter by Willy Guhl for EternitBy Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in Doornspijk, NLDiablo-shaped planter designed by Swiss architect and designer Willy Guhl for Eternit. This weather resistant piece combines beautiful organic lines with a wonderful patina. The na...Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- Mid-Century Modern Round Planter by Willy Guhl for Eternit in SwitzerlandBy Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in Doornspijk, NLRound planter designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit in Switzerland. Beautiful patina. The upper part inclines slightly, for better vision of the plants and flowers in it.Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsCement
- Mid-Century Modern Flat Planter by Willy Guhl for EternitBy Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in Doornspijk, NLThis planter is designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit of Switzerland. It is flat and slightly oblong and has a beautiful patina throughout. 1960s. Three available, listed separately.Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsCement
- Mid-Century Modern Flat Planter by Willy Guhl for EternitBy Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in Doornspijk, NLThis planter is designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit of Switzerland. It is flat and slightly oblong and has a beautiful patina throughout. 1960s. Three available, listed separately.Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsCement
- Mid-Century Modern Flat Planter by Willy Guhl for EternitBy Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in Doornspijk, NLThis planter is designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit of Switzerland. It is flat and slightly oblong and has a beautiful patina throughout. 1960s. Three available, listed separately.Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsCement
- Mid-Century Modern Stackable Planter Element by Willy Guhl for EternitBy Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in Doornspijk, NLStackable planter frames designed by Willy Guhl and manufactured by Eternit, Switzerland. These planters can be stacked or used separately. We have 6 on stock.Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsCement
- Willy Guhl for Eternit, a Mid-Century Modern Concrete Garden Planter with StandBy Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in London, GBWilly 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
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- Large Tapered Round Concrete Willy Guhl PlanterBy Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in Houston, TXLarge tapered round concrete Willy Guhl planter circa 1960s. Two available (see last picture) and priced individually at $2,200 each. Note: Original/early finish on antique and vint...Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
$2,200 / item - Willy Guhl for Eternit, a Mid-Century Modern Concrete Rectangular Garden PlanterBy Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in London, GBWilly Guhl for Eternit, a Mid-Century Modern concrete rectangular garden planter with rectangular concave decoration with opposing triangul...Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- Willy Guhl for Eternit, Mid-Century Modern Concrete Garden Handkerchief PlanterBy Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in London, GBWilly Guhl for Eternit, a very rare 21 inch tall Mid-Century Modern sculptural concrete garden Handkerchief elephant ear planter. It looks like a large seed pod and will look very sp...Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- Mid Century Modern Willy Guhl Concrete Garden PlanterBy Willy GuhlLocated in Houston, TXThe Mid Century Willy Guhl Concrete Garden Planter epitomizes timeless elegance and functional design. Crafted by Swiss designer Willy Guhl during the mid-20th century, this iconic p...Category
20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- 1960s Willy Guhl Concrete Urn PlanterBy Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in Los Angeles, CAConcrete urn by Willy Guhl. Rare model. Excellent cream, pastel yellow and grey patina. Urn has a delicate cement ridge around the mouth giving it a beautiful minimalist design with ...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete