Willy Guhl Wall-Mounted Planter by Eternit AG, Switzerland, 1960
View Similar Items
Willy Guhl Wall-Mounted Planter by Eternit AG, Switzerland, 1960
About the Item
- Creator:Willy Guhl (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 11.82 in (30 cm)Width: 16.54 in (42 cm)Depth: 5.91 in (15 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Roosendaal, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU93307316573
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.
- Willy Guhl Sandbox Planter Eternit AG, Switzerland, 1960By Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in Roosendaal, Noord BrabantRare sandbox flower pot designed by Willy Guhl and manufactured by Eternit AG, Switzerland 1960. This piece can be used as a sandbox or storage box, but als...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- Willy Guhl Handkerchief Planter Pair Eternit AG Switzerland, 1960By Willy GuhlLocated in Roosendaal, Noord BrabantHighly decorative and very large pair of outdoor handkerchief shaped planters designed by Willy Guhl, and manufactured by Eternit AG, Switzerland 1960. These planters are made of cel...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- Carlo Ratti wall mounted display cabinets Italy 1950By Carlo RattiLocated in Roosendaal, Noord BrabantBeautiful pair of wall mounted display cabinets designed by Carlo Ratti and manufactured by Industria Legni Curvati in Italy in 1950. These cabine...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vitrines
MaterialsBrass
- Willy Van Der Meeren Desk by Tubax Belgium 1955By Willy Van Der Meeren, TubaxLocated in Roosendaal, Noord BrabantNice Industrial desk designed by Willy Van Der Meeren and manufactured by Tubax, Belgium 1955. This typical fifties Industrial desk has a very nice Industrial look with the black metal folded v structure...Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMetal
- Stilnovo Adjustable Wall Lamp, Italy, 1960By StilnovoLocated in Roosendaal, Noord BrabantStunning fully adjustable wall lamp designed and manufactured by Stilnovo, Italy 1960. The lamp has a super quality solid brass adjustable arm, which can rotate and can be adjusted i...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsAluminum, Brass
- Vinicio Vianello wall lamps Vistosi Italy 1960By Vistosi, Vinicio VianelloLocated in Roosendaal, Noord BrabantStunning pair of Vinicio Vianello wall lamps, crafted by Vistosi in Italy 1960. These lamps feature architectural frames with a nickel-plated finish and brass socket holders. The Murano-made blown layered Vistosi glass has a beautiful appearance. The glass is gracefully held by four nickel-plated arms, securely in place. The glass is blown in a shape that flows from slender at the bottom to a bigger mushroom-like round shape at the top. From the bottom there is a gradient beginning from a brown smoked colour to clear glass. Besides that, the glass has a mesmerising line in a blue-green hue in the middle. When darkness falls, the magic begins as the lamps show the blue-green glow that projects beautifully onto the wall. It creates a smooth atmosphere, filling the room with a soft, ambient light. Vinicio Vianello, a prominent figure in the Murano glass scene, was born in Venice in 1924. He developed a passion for glass as an artistic medium at a young age and gained valuable experience working in Murano's furnaces. His groundbreaking designs, characterized by asymmetry and bold creativity, broke away from traditional glassmaking concepts. Vianello gained recognition with his innovative vases showcased at the Venice Biennale in 1950, executed by master glassblower Alfredo Barbini. He continued to push artistic boundaries, incorporating elements inspired by nuclear physics...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsNickel
$4,669 / set
- Willy Guhl Hexagonal Planter - Eternit AG, SwitzerlandBy Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in Bern, CHRare Hexagonal Planter by Swiss Architect, Willy Guhl. Produced by Eternit SA, Switzerland ca. 1960 - 1969. Concrete fibre construction. Beautiful patination with no structural damag...Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- Willy Guhl Conical Planter - Eternit AG, Switzerland #5By Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in Bern, CHConical concrete flower pot by Swiss designer, Willy Guhl. Solid concrete made in Switzerland 1960 - 1970. Produced by Eternit AG. Tapered structure with drainage holes in base. In...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Minimalist Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- Willy Guhl Conical Planter - Eternit AG, Switzerland #5By Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in Bern, CHMonumental concrete planter by Swiss furniture designer, Willy Guhl. Solid concrete construction. Made in Switzerland 1960 - 1970. Produced by Eternit AG. Conical form with drainage...Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Minimalist Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- Willy Guhl Conical Planter - Eternit AG, Switzerland #6By Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in Bern, CHConical concrete flower pot by Swiss architect and designer, Willy Guhl. Solid concrete made in Switzerland 1960 - 1970. Produced by Eternit AG, Switzerland. Tapered structure with d...Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Minimalist Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- 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 Conical Planter - Eternit AG, Switzerland #9By Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in Bern, CHConical concrete planter by Swiss designer, Willy Guhl. Solid concrete made in Switzerland 1960 - 1970. Produced by Eternit AG. Tapered structure with drainage holes in base. In or...Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Minimalist Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
$1,112 Sale Price20% Off