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.
$2,800
Willy Guhl Bird Bath
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Willy Guhl bird bath made of cement. Unique shape and large size. Over three feet long. Great sculpture and object. Could be used for succule...
Cement
Willy Guhl Monumental Chalice Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning concrete planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Faceted edges around the top and bottom. Planter in the shape of a chalice. Good vintage condition. Decades of age and patina...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Dog House, 1960s, Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing industrial cement dog kennel by Swiss designer Willy Guhl for Eternit. Extremely rare size with heavy patina and lichen. A small doggy door is on the bottom left side of the ...
Cement
$2,000 / item
Willy Guhl Concrete Flower Pot, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Perfect large concrete flower pots by Willy Guhl. Made in Switzerland in the 1960s. Great vintage condition with unique patina on each as shown. Cl...
Cement
Willy Guhl Fatboy Hourglass Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Willy Guhl concrete diabolo planter. Short and fat. Rarer model. Great condition and coloring. Only one available.
Cement
Authentic Mid-Century Willy Guhl Cupcake Planter for Eternit – Swiss Design
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This exceptional mid-century sculptural planter is an authentic “Cupcake” form by renowned Swiss designer Willy Guhl, created for Eternit AG in the 1950s–1970s. Sometimes referred to...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Amoeba Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic cement amoeba bowl by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Great tabletop bowl or planter. Beautiful patina. Very unusual design. Good vintage condition. Wear as shown.
Cement
$1,300 / item
Willy Guhl 24" Quilted Concrete Trough Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete trough planters by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Just under 24" long. Quilted pattern on both sides. Factory drilled drainage holes. Perfect dep...
Concrete
$3,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set 3! XL 22" Diam. 11.6" H Tapered Concrete W. Guhl Eternit Planter A+ Patina
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Basel, BS
One conical concrete planter created by Willy Guhl for Eternit. We currently have three available, sold here as a set with combined shipping! This designer planter pot is designed b...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Petite Ridged Planter, 1970s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Petite ridged planters by Willy Guhl. Concrete planters in the shape of a rectangle with an upper rim and ridged sides. Great scale. Very good condition with similar patina on all 3 ...
Cement
Midcentury Large Sculptural Willy Guhl Tilted 'Soup Cup' Saucer Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Richmond, VA
An iconic 'Soup Cup' Tilted Saucer Planter by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. This lovely planter with decades of European patina sourced from a French estate is equally beau...
Concrete, Composition
Willy Guhl Large Elephant Handkerchief Planter with Beautiful Moss and Lichen
By Willy Guhl
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A nice large Willy Guhl Elephant ear or handkerchief planter with factory drilled holes. Nice crusty patina with great areas of lichen and moss. In good shape overall with no chips b...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Chalice Shaped Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique concrete planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Planter in the shape of a chalice. Especially unique in that the base matches the top with pointed facets. Great vintage condit...
Concrete
$7,200 / set
Willy Guhl Modular Cement Cube Bookcase
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic cement cubes by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl, for Eternit. 6 modular cubes made of fiber cement, can be arranged in a multitude of ways. Great for ...
Cement
Mid-Century Modern Flat Planter by Willy Guhl for Eternit
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Doornspijk, NL
This planter is designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit of Switzerland. It is flat and slightly oblong and has a beautiful patina throughout. 1960s. Three available, listed separately.
Cement
Willy Guhl Black Concrete Cone Flower Pot, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete cone flower pot by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Made in the 1960s in Switzerland. Wonderful faded black patina across the whole outer body of the planter. Factory drilled dra...
Concrete
Rare Willy Guhl for Eternit Stackable Planters Mid-Century
By Willy Guhl
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Rare stackable planters by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Each one stamped on the bottom. Three yellow and three grey or concrete available. Planters have ...
Pair of Mid Century Round Low Concrete Planters by Willy Guhl for Eternite AG
By Willy Guhl
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare pair of low round oversized mid century concrete planters by Willy Guhl produced for Eternite AG in Swizerland, 1950s. In good original and matching condition with beautiful nat...
Concrete
$3,000 / item
Willy Guhl Chalice Shaped Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique concrete planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Planter in the shape of a chalice. A variety of patina Great vintage condition. 3 available as shown in this listing. Priced in...
Concrete
Pair of Mid-Century Swiss Willy Guhl Eternit Concrete Saucer Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Dallas, TX
This sculptural pair of vintage planters was designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit in Switzerland, circa 1950. Executed in Guhl’s iconic wide saucer form, each planter is cast in fiber-...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Square Tray Planters, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic square tray tabletop planters by Willy Guhl. Great for succulents and indoor planting. Great original patina throughout. Six available. Priced ...
Cement
Colossal Willy Guhl Olive Jar Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oversized concrete olive jar planter by Willy Guhl with great patina and prominent presence. Simple and elegant design perfect for any garden or patio. Excellent patina and vintage c...
Concrete
Medium Swiss White Concrete Dog House by Willy Guhl for Eternit, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare 1960s concrete dog house designed by renowned Swiss designer Willy Guhl. The structure features a simple elongated base topped by a raised semicircular arch that peaks at a de...
Concrete
$5,500 / item
Willy Guhl Olive Jar Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete olive jar planter by Willy Guhl with great patina and prominent presence. Simple and elegant design perfect for any garden or patio. Excellent patina and vintage condition. ...
Concrete
1960s Large Red Willy Guhl Rectangular Concrete Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Crafted by renowned Swiss designer Willy Guhl during the 1960s, this rectangular concrete box planter exemplifies the understated sophistication and functional modernism that define ...
Cement
$5,500 / item
Willy Guhl Concrete Table Lamp, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic rare concrete lamp by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Circular cutouts allow light through. One bulb inside each with on/off switch on the cord. Lovely soft grey color with subtle ...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Vertical Handkerchief Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique concrete planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Planter in the shape of vertical handkerchief in its original grey concrete patina. Rare design in original condition. The inte...
Concrete
Monumental Willy Guhl Concrete Vase, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Immense concrete vase by Willy Guhl in an adobe patina. Extremely rare model. Made of fiber cement. Decades of patina, moss and paint. Colors vary from adobe and white to green and d...
Cement
$6,500 / set
Willy Guhl Off-Kilter Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of off-kilter planters, designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit. A play on the classic diabolo form. Strong and robust, these tilted garden planters are sculpted from fibrous cement....
Concrete
$1,141Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 3 square Willy Guhl planters in eternit
By Willy Guhl
Located in LYON, FR
Planters in eternit, fiber cement by Willy Guhl, Circa 1950. An irresistible look for these unusual 33X33 cm square planters, 5 cm high.
Cement
$1,200Sale Price / item|50% Off
Stackable Willy Guhl Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Unique Stackable Willy Guhl planters Sold and priced individually Switzerland, 1960s
Concrete
Circular Willy Guhl Concrete Mirror, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very cool and unique circular Willy Guhl concrete mirror. Concrete vessel originally produced at the Eternit factory in Switzerland in the 1...
Cement
Willy Guhl Elephant Ear Hankechief Planter with great patina
By Willy Guhl
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A nice Willy Guhl Elephant ear or handkerchief planter with no factory drilled holes. Nice crusty patina with areas of lichen and moss. In goo...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Concrete Vase, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful concrete vases by Willy Guhl. Thick walls with years of patina both hand painted in a matte white paint. Delicate and classic lines that start with a thin tapered base and ...
Cement
Ridged Trough Planters by Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic rectangular planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Ridge design on all sides. Just under 3.5 feet long. Great lines and clean design. Good vintage condition and...
Cement
$2,200 / item
Willy Guhl Elephant Ear Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning concrete elephant ear planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Great vintage condition. Two available with different coloring...
Cement
Set of 3 Willy Guhl Concrete Table Lamps, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic and rare concrete lamps by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Circular cutouts allow light through and add to the design. One bulb inside each with on/off switch on the cord. Lovely s...
Concrete
$900 / item
Willy Guhl Petite Trough Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete trough planters by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Petite size. Just under 16" long. Factory drilled drainage holes. Perfect depth for narrow space...
Concrete
$3,600 / item
Willy Guhl Monumental Clam Shell Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural biomorphic cement clam planters by Willy Guhl. In the shape of a clam shell. Gorgeous planter in a monumental scale for indoors or outside. Exc...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Olive Jar Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete olive jar planter by Willy Guhl with great patina and prominent presence. Simple and elegant design perfect for any garden or patio. Excelle...
Concrete
Massive Willy Guhl Olive Jar Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete olive jar planter by Willy Guhl with great patina and prominent presence. Simple and elegant design perfect for any garden or patio. Incredible yellow patina and excellent v...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Concrete Vase, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic concrete vase by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Great tabletop vase or planter in a unique weathered hand painted patina. Very unusual shape. Great indoors or outs...
Concrete
Vintage Willy Guhl Cast Concrete Trough Planter, Rectangular Swiss Design
By Willy Guhl
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A striking example of mid-century Swiss industrial design, this vintage Willy Guhl cast concrete trough planter exudes timeless charm and architectural appeal. Designed in the 1950s-...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Olive Jar Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete olive jar planter by Willy Guhl with great patina and prominent presence. Simple and elegant design perfect for any garden or patio. Excelle...
Concrete
Blue Modern Sculptural Vintage Willy Guhl Loop Coffee Table, 1995, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Vienna, AT
Blue modern vintage Loop coffee table by Willy Guhl (1915-2004). This coffee table is a futuristic beautiful coffee table or sofa table. The futurist...
Cement
Monumental Green Willy Guhl Vertical Handkerchief Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning concrete planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. An iteration of his iconic handkerchief planter but as opposed to the traditional low profile handkerchief with wide leaf-lik...
Concrete
$3,000 / item
Willy Guhl Chalice Shaped Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique concrete planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Planter in the shape of a chalice. Beautiful patinas. Great vintage condition. 3 available as shown in this listing. Priced ind...
Concrete
$1,450 / item
Willy Guhl Rectangular Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic set of 22 rectangular planters by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Painted years ago in greyish/blue and worn down by years of Eur...
Cement
Willy Guhl Concrete Cone Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete cone flower pot by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Made in the 1960s in Switzerland. Amazing patina across the whole outer body of the planter with multiple flecks of different ...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Petite Ridged Planters, 1970s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Petite ridged planters by Willy Guhl. Concrete planters in the shape of a rectangle with an upper rim and ridged sides. Great scale. Very good condition with similar patina on all 5 ...
Cement
$1,400 / item
Willy Guhl Goblet Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Small cement goblet planters by Swiss designer Willy Guhl. Gorgeous planter for indoors or outside. 3 available with varying color and patina. Priced individually.
Concrete
Mid-Century Modern Flat Planter by Willy Guhl for Eternit
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Doornspijk, NL
This planter is designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit of Switzerland. It is flat and slightly oblong and has a beautiful patina throughout. 1960s. Three available, listed separately.
Cement
$8,500 / item
Willy Guhl Table with built in Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Unique Willy Guhl Table with built in Planters 3x planter with yellow patina Original construction of fiber cement Switzerland, 1960s
Cement
$2,200 / item
Willy Guhl Flower Pots
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very rare set of Willy Guhl sculptural flower planters made of cement. Great sculptural objects. Hollow and open on both ends. Perfect for placing in soil and arranging plants/flower...
Cement
Willy Guhl White Basin Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large concrete planter by Willy Guhl in a cream paint with light patina. Low profile bin with a large diameter and 25" depth. Sturdy and substa...
Concrete
Willy Guhl for Eternit Large Handkerchief Concrete Planter, 1960s
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit sculptural large handkerchief concrete planter or jardinière, Switzerland, 1960s. This exquisite planter is made from weather-resistant fiber cemen...
Concrete
$20,000 / set
Willy Guhl Modular Fiber Concrete Cube Set
By Willy Guhl
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Modular set of reinforced fiber concrete shelving cubes in three sizes retaining remnants of the original black finish by Swiss architect Willy Guhl ...
Concrete
Set of 4 “Puzzle” Model Planters by Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in JASSANS-RIOTTIER, FR
This rare set of four “Puzzle” model planters was designed by iconic Swiss designer Willy Guhl and produced by Eternit during the 1960s. A key figure of 20th-century modern design, G...
Concrete
Pair of Willy Guhl Eternite ball armchairs from the 60s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Pair of “Ball and ball” model garden armchairs by Swiss designer Willy Ghul from the 60s, published by Eternit. Cellular concrete structure painted orange (...
Cement
Willy Guhl Sandbox Planter Eternit AG, Switzerland, 1960
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Rare 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...
Concrete