architectural PLANTER conical shape mid century willy guhl eternit plant pot 195
About the Item
- Creator:Willy Guhl (Designer),Eternit (Manufacturer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 9.06 in (23 cm)Width: 18.51 in (47 cm)Depth: 18.51 in (47 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:ca. 1950
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Original, no reproduction, pre-used. Has been outdoors for decades, giving it a beautiful authentic vintage patina with some remains of old paint.
- Seller Location:Mannheim, DE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU8078238697462
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: Mannheim, Germany
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Architectural Planter Midcentury Willy Guhl Eternit Plant Pot, 1950sBy Willy Guhl, EternitLocated in Mannheim, DE1950s planter designed by Swiss architects Willy Guhl and Anton Bee in 1951. It is the biggest version of the so called "Spindel" and perfect for terraces or gardens. It is made of s...Category
Vintage 1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete
- gray spindel PLANTER mid century architectural planter willy guhl eternit 1950sBy Eternit, Willy GuhlLocated in Mannheim, DE1950's planter designed by Swiss architects Willy Guhl and Anton Bee in 1951. It is the small version of the so called "Spindel" and perfect for smaller terraces or gardens. It is ma...Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsCement
- rectangular mid century PLANTER architectural fiber cement plant pot guhl aeraLocated in Mannheim, DELarge rectangular planter made of stone grey fiber cement. Matches perfectly to the famous Willy Guhl eternit Spindel planter. Decade of production is unknown, probably 1950s to 196...Category
Vintage 1950s European Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsCement
- pair of rectangular mid century fiber cement PLANTERS willy guhl eternitBy Willy Guhl, EternitLocated in Mannheim, DESet of 2 rectangular planters made of stone grey fiber cement from the Eternit company by Willy Guhl. They match perfectly to the famous spindel planter. They are a perfect addition ...Category
Vintage 1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
MaterialsCement
- 2 rectangular 39" mid century fiber cement PLANTERS willy guhl era - set 1Located in Mannheim, DESet of 2 rectangular planters made of stone grey fiber cement. Marked Fulgurit. They match perfectly to the famous Willy Guhl Spindel planter...Category
Vintage 1950s European Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsCement
- 2 rectangular 100cm mid century fiber cement PLANTERS willy guhl era - set 2Located in Mannheim, DESet of 2 rectangular planters made of stone grey fiber cement. Marked Fulgurit. They match perfectly to the famous Willy Guhl Spindel planter...Category
Vintage 1950s European Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsCement
- Willy Guhl Conical Planter - Eternit AG, Switzerland #5By Willy Guhl, EternitLocated 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 Willy Guhl, EternitLocated 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 Conical Planter - Eternit AG, Switzerland #5By Willy Guhl, EternitLocated 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 #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
- Mid-Century Modern Conical Shaped Planter by Willy Guhl for EternitBy Willy Guhl, EternitLocated in Doornspijk, NLLarge planter designed by famous Swiss artist, designer and architect Willy Guhl. The planter has a conical shape. With its beautiful patina it will make a great statement on your ro...Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsCement
- Willy Guhl Conical Planter - Eternit AG, Switzerland #11By 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. Th...Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Minimalist Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsConcrete