Willy Guhl Amoeba Planter, 1960s Switzerland
About the Item
- Creator:Willy Guhl (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 7 in (17.78 cm)Diameter: 28 in (71.12 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1853331011162
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: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Small Willy Guhl Amoeba Planter, 1960s SwitzerlandBy Willy GuhlLocated in Los Angeles, CAFantastic cement amoeba bowl by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Bright red base and grey top. Very unusual design with beautiful patina. Good vintage condition. Wear as shown.Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsCement
- Willy Guhl Dish Planter, 1960s SwitzerlandBy Willy GuhlLocated in Los Angeles, CAFantastic cement dish by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Light white and grey patina. Simple and minimal design but perfect for succulents or even as a bowl. Good vintage con...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsCement
- Willy Guhl Bowl Planter, 1960s SwitzerlandBy Willy GuhlLocated in Los Angeles, CAFantastic cement dish by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Original light grey patina with a rusted metal ring handle on one side giving it a nice bit of character. Simple and ...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsCement
- Willy Guhl Concrete Bowl Planter, 1960s SwitzerlandBy Willy GuhlLocated in Los Angeles, CALarge concrete bowl planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Original light patina with a ridge at the top. Made in the 1960s in Switzerland. Great s...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- Willy Guhl Saucer Bowl, 1960s SwitzerlandBy Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in Los Angeles, CAHighly decorative and large outdoor saucer-shaped planter designed by Industrial Design Pioneer Willy Guhl and manufactured by Eternit Ag, Switzerland in the 1960s. Sculpted from ...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsCement
- Willy Guhl Concrete Cone Planter on Iron Stand, 1960s SwitzerlandBy Willy GuhlLocated in Los Angeles, CACone planter by Willy Guhl made in the 1960s, in Switzerland. Inverted concrete cone sits comfortably in an iron tripod stand. Great patina and color...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete, Iron
- Willy Guhl Eternit Planters, Switzerland, 1960sBy Willy Guhl, EternitLocated in Antwerp, BEBrutalist and minimalist planters, Willy Guhl, Switzerland, 1960s 3 similar size rectangular planters are available + 1 larger (see other listings) Willy Guhl was a pioneering Swis...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Brutalist Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- Willy Guhl 'Diablo' Planters, Switzerland 1960sBy Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in Malibu, USIconic pair of vintage 'Diablo' Planters by Swiss neo-functionalist and industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland, circa 1970. Made from fibre-cement, these pie...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsCement
- A pair of Willy Guhl planters. Switzerland 1960sBy Willy GuhlLocated in VILLERS-SUR-MER, FRA pair of very nice Willy Guhl red painted planters, diabolo model, Eternit Switzerland 60s editionCategory
Vintage 1960s Swiss Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsCement
- A pair of Willy Guhl planters. Switzerland 1960sBy Willy GuhlLocated in VILLERS-SUR-MER, FRA pair of big Willy Guhl planter, cone model, edition Eternit Suisse 60sCategory
Vintage 1960s Swiss Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsCement
- Rare Willy Guhl Hourglass Planter, Switzerland 1960sBy Willy Guhl, EternitLocated in Malibu, USVintage rarely seen Hourglass Planter by Swiss neo-functionalist and industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland, circa 1970. This hourglass planter is shorter an...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsCement
- Rare Willy Guhl Hourglass Planter, Switzerland 1960sBy Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in Malibu, USVintage rarely seen Hourglass Planter by Swiss neo-functionalist and industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland, circa 1970. This hourglass planter is shorter an...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsCement