Pair of concrete Diabolo Planters by Willy Guhl with charming painting
About the Item
- Creator:Eternit (Manufacturer),Willy Guhl (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 25.2 in (64 cm)Diameter: 14.57 in (37 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Space Age (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses.
- Seller Location:Frankfurt am Main, DE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU9031235355232
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Pair of Easy Chairs by Paul Geoffroy for Airborne, with Hermès Fabrics, 1950sBy Paul GeoffroyLocated in Frankfurt am Main, DEYou may know these easy chairs designed by Paul Geoffroy in the early 1950s for Airborne, France. But you’ve never seen Hermès fabric on these chairs: we decided to go full luxury. W...Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- A pair of Mickey Mouser Chest of Drawers by Pierre Colleu for Disney by StarformBy Starform, Pierre Colleu 1, Walt DisneyLocated in Frankfurt am Main, DE„oh, how cute!“ – if you’re a disney fan, these objects may make your heart beat faster. but they are more than just early disney licensed products: they are rare pieces of postmodern design history. designer pierre colleu, born in 1948, studied product design at the ‚ecole des arts appliqués à l’industrie‘ in paris. he founded his own studio (find out more below), worked as an expert in the usage of new materials in design, architecture and the building industry overall and was responsible for the development of new products at the ‚institut des arts et techniques des polymeres‘. he presented innovative ideas on television, took part in exhibitions from las vegas to beijing and was awarded with innovation and design prizes, from water treatment to renewable energy. his company, ‚groupe impact design‘, „has made it its mission to develop furniture for the 21st century: furniture for living, furniture for dreaming, furniture that makes life easier and more pleasant. it has developed resources modelled on those of the automotive industry: a research and product simulation centre, a machining centre for prototypes in various materials, the production of complex tools, the development of new techniques and a research department for intelligent furniture.“ as a true innovator pierre colleu designed futuristic vehicles, lightweight bioclimatic houses, fiberglass chairs, rolling furniture – most of it really experimental and avantgarde. and also some fun objects, like furniture in the shape of cartoon characters. these unique disney licensed objects were produced by starform in the eighties in small series. the cabinets forms mickey’s „square body“ with four drawers each, sitting on yellow „feet“. the heads on top are pretty realistic in its character, arms and hands are added, the left hands holds a platter ideal for your wallet, key and sunglasses (or your kids...Category
Vintage 1980s French Post-Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsResin, Plastic, Wood
- Sphère Lounge Chair by Boris Tabacoff for M. M. M., cushion with dedar fabricBy Boris Tabacoff, Mobilier Modulair ModerneLocated in Frankfurt am Main, DEspace age and the race to the moon had a strong influence on global culture: from architecture to film, from fashion to furniture. interior design became increasingly experimental: e...Category
Vintage 1970s French Space Age Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- a pair of brutalistic brass table lamps by angelo brotto, italy, 1960sBy Angelo BrottoLocated in Frankfurt am Main, DEa pair of table lamps by angelo brotto. the lamp base is made of solid brass with a sculptural structure. the square lampshades are newly made and covered with seagrass paper. the el...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- A Pair of tripod stool by Jean Raymond Picard/Jean-René Picard for S.E.T.A.By Jean-René PicardLocated in Frankfurt am Main, DEA rare, early example of "tabourets", three-legged stools by Jean Raymond Picard. He also designed the first French chair made of fibreglass (in matching design). Both are known as manufacturers of "S.E.T.A.", a French furnishing...Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsSteel
- A pair of post-modern Quinta dining chairs by Mario Botta for Alias, Italy 1984By Mario Botta, AliasLocated in Frankfurt am Main, DEpostmodernism actually became famous for the rediscovery of joy in design, playfulness, fun and, yes: decoration. but there is also the very straightforward honesty, as seen in these...Category
Vintage 1980s Post-Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Willy Guhl, Concrete Pair of Spindle Planters, Eternit, 1960sBy Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in Berlin, DEWilly Guhl, spindle planters, manufactured by Eternit in the 1960s. Very nice patina, rare lower model with larger diameter!Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- Willy Guhl Diabolo PlantersBy Willy GuhlLocated in Los Angeles, CAWilly Guhl Diabolo Planters, fiber-reinforced concrete. Switzerland, 1960s. Each item is $1800. Only 3 planters available.Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- Willy Guhl Diabolo PlantersBy Willy GuhlLocated in Los Angeles, CAWilly Guhl Diabolo Planters, fiber-reinforced concrete. Switzerland, 1960s. Each item is $2500. Only two planters available.Category
Mid-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
- Willy Guhl Concrete Planter - Eternit AG, Switzerland #3By Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in Bern, CHMonumental concrete flower pot by Swiss designer, Willy Guhl. Solid concrete made in Switzerland 1960 - 1970. Produced by Eternit AG. Tapered structure with a ribbed upper section w...Category
Late 20th Century Swiss Minimalist Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- Willy Guhl Concrete Planter - Eternit AG, Switzerland #2By Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in Bern, CHMonumental concrete flower pot by Swiss designer, Willy Guhl. Solid concrete made in Switzerland 1960 - 1970. Produced by Eternit AG. Tapered structure with a ribbed upper section ...Category
Late 20th Century Swiss Minimalist Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
