Willy Guhl Concrete Urn, 1960s Switzerland
About the Item
- Creator:Eternit (Manufacturer),Willy Guhl (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 20 in (50.8 cm)Diameter: 15 in (38.1 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- 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: LU1853332034632
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.
- Willy Guhl Concrete Urn, 1960s SwitzerlandBy Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in Los Angeles, CAConcrete urn by Willy Guhl. Rare model. In original grey concrete patina. Urn has a delicate cement ridge around the mouth as well as around the widest part of the jar giving it dept...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- Willy Guhl Concrete Urn, 1960s SwitzerlandBy Willy Guhl, EternitLocated in Los Angeles, CAConcrete urn by Willy Guhl. Rare model. In a beautiful washed out patina from layers of white paint which have worn down over the years. Urn has a delicate cement ridge around the mo...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- Willy Guhl Concrete Urn, 1960s SwitzerlandBy Willy Guhl, EternitLocated in Los Angeles, CAConcrete urn by Willy Guhl. Rare model. In a beautiful washed out patina from layers of finishes worn down over the years. Urn has a delicate cement ridge around the mouth as well as...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- Willy Guhl Concrete Urn, 1960s SwitzerlandBy Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in Los Angeles, CAConcrete urn by Willy Guhl. Rare model. In a beautiful washed out patina from layers of finishes worn down over the years. Urn has a delicate cement ridge around the mouth as well as...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- Willy Guhl Concrete Urn, 1960s SwitzerlandBy Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in Los Angeles, CAConcrete urns by Willy Guhl. Three available with varying degrees of patina and lichen. Rare model. Urns have a delicate cement ridge around the mouth as well as around the widest pa...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- Willy Guhl Concrete Urn, 1960s SwitzerlandBy Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in Los Angeles, CAConcrete urn by Willy Guhl. Rare model. Excellent cream and grey patina. Urn has a delicate cement ridge around the mouth as well as around the widest part of the jar giving it depth...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- Concrete Planter by Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland ca. 1960sBy Willy Guhl, EternitLocated in Geneva, CHLarge eternit planter by Willy Guhl produced by Eternit AG, Switzerland ca. 1960s Original shape. 85 x 85 x 19 cmCategory
Vintage 1960s Swiss Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- 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, Concrete Spindle Planter, Eternit, 1960sBy Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in Berlin, DEWilly Guhl, spindle planter, 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 Large 'Diablo' Planters, Switzerland 1960sBy Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in Malibu, USIconic vintage 'Diablo' Planters by Swiss neo-functionalist and industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland, circa 1970. Made from fibre-cement, these pieces have...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsCement
- Willy Guhl Concrete Planter - Eternit AG, Switzerland #3By Willy Guhl, EternitLocated 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