Rare Willy Guhl for Eternit Stackable Planters Mid-Century
About the Item
- Creator:Willy Guhl (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 9 in (22.86 cm)Width: 24.5 in (62.23 cm)Depth: 8.25 in (20.96 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:good vintage condition, planters are outside-so they have a somewhat weathered look.
- Seller Location:St.Petersburg, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU80297336043
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: St.Petersburg, FL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Modernist Planter by Architect Victor BisharatBy Victor H. BisharatLocated in St.Petersburg, FLRare Atomic Sculpture-Iron Planter, that holds 3 Potted plants. Designed by Victor H. Bisharat a Calirfornia architect, circa early 1950s. Measures 17...Category
Vintage 1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsWrought Iron
- Great Pair of Midcentury Planters by Gainey PotteryBy Gainey PotteryLocated in St.Petersburg, FLA pair of Classic midcentury textured glaze planters by Gainey Pottery, California, circa 1960s. These have no hole on the bottom.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsCeramic
- Huge Gainey Pottery Ceramic Planter Deep RedBy Gainey PotteryLocated in St.Petersburg, FLSpectacular Gainey Pottery ceramic planter measuring 30.25" diameter, 12" H. Rich, deep red color, high gloss glaze. Vintage, never used stock.Category
Vintage 1970s American Ceramics
- Pair of Enormous Gainey Pottery Ceramic PlantersBy Gainey PotteryLocated in St.Petersburg, FLA pair of enormous Gainey Pottery, Laverne California, ceramic planters. Shiny purple glaze. Measures 31.5" diameter.Category
Vintage 1970s American Ceramics
MaterialsCeramic
- John Follis & Rex Goode Architectural Planter Model CP-13 with Redwood BaseBy Architectural PotteryLocated in St.Petersburg, FLAn unusual and hard to find John Follis and Rex Goode planter by Architectural Pottery circa 1970s. This is a yellow-ochre colored gla...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsCeramic
- Stacked Walnut Martz Lamp for Marshall StudiosBy Gordon & Jane Martz, Marshall StudiosLocated in St.Petersburg, FLStacked walnut table lamp designed by famed lamp makers Jane and Gordon Martz. Incredible wood grain creates a flowing form against the stark lines of the...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsWalnut
- Willy Guhl for Eternit, Mid-Century Modern Concrete Garden Handkerchief PlanterBy Willy Guhl, EternitLocated 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
- Willy Guhl for Eternit, a Mid-Century Modern Concrete Rectangular Garden PlanterBy Willy Guhl, EternitLocated 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, a Mid-Century Modern Concrete Garden Planter with StandBy Willy Guhl, EternitLocated 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
- Willy Guhl for Eternit, 2 Pairs Mid-Century Modern concrete Garden Dish PlantersBy Willy GuhlLocated in London, GBWilly Guhl for Eternit, two matched pairs of Mid-Century Modern concrete garden dish planters in good condition. Measures: Height - 11 inches W - 31.5 inches D n- 31.5 inches. Height...Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- Willy Guhl for Eternit, Mint Pair of Mid-Century Modern Concrete Garden PlantersBy Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in London, GBWilly Guhl for Eternit, a rare pair of Mid-Century Modern concrete garden planters with conical hollow stands for the dish shaped planters. Stamped numbers 1 84 068 inside the bowl. ...Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- Willy Guhl for Eternit Large Handkerchief Elephant Ear Planter with Loss to EdgeBy Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in London, GBWilly Guhl for Eternit large handkerchief elephant ear concrete planter with loss to edge Loss to one wave of the rim, shown clearly in the images. Will sit snugly against a wall an...Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
