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Willy Guhl Furniture

Swiss, 1915-2004

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.

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Creator: Willy Guhl
Vintage Willy Guhl Jardiniere
By Willy Guhl
Located in Austin, TX
Jardiniere, from Switzerland, by Willy Guhl for Eternit, circa 1968. This piece is made of free form concrete with the original lichen and patina.
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Mid-Century Modern Pair of Loop Chairs and Loop Table by Willy Guhl for Eternit
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Magnificent pair of Loop Chairs plus a Loop Table designed in 1954 by Willy Guhl for Eternit SA of Switzerland. These iconic garden chairs and table are made of a continuous sheet ...
Category

1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Petite Willy Guhl Lamps
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Pair of petite scale lamps by Willy Guhl with new linen shade and concrete base. Teak wood and newly rewired Wonderful patina. Priced as a pair.
Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Large Table Lamp
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Willy Guhl table lamp in varying patina New linen shade Pairs available.
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Diabolo Planter by Willy Guhl & Anton Bee for Eternit Switzerland 1950s
By Anton Bee, Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in PARIS, FR
Attributed to Anton Bee and Willy Guhl for Eternit. In 1951, eternity ag sought to collaborate with outside designers and asked willy guhl and his students to work on new plant conta...
Category

1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl Concrete Urn, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete 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

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Black Concrete Cone Flower Pot, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete cone flower pot by Swiss architect and industrial designer Willy Guhl. Made in the 1960s in Switzerland. Great faded black patina across the whole outer body of the planter....
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Set of 2 Chalice shaped planters by Willy Guhl, 1970s
By Willy Guhl
Located in amstelveen, NL
A unique set of 2 concrete planters by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Planter in the shape of a chalice. Signed 1972. This shape is not common and hard to find. Great patina. Would m...
Category

1970s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Concrete Mailbox, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare concrete mailbox by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Light patina with the word LETTRES on the top. Front panel opens like a sliding door to remove mail and letters and can also be u...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Massive Swiss Concrete Ball Planters, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete Swiss ball planters in the style of Willy Guhl. Great patina to each planter. Great for indoors or outside. 5 available. Priced individually. O...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Concrete Urn, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete 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

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Bowl Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic 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

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Willy Ghul planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Willy Guhl planter extra large size edited by Eternit Called Diabolo.
Category

20th Century French Modern Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Table Lamp
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Willy Guhl table lamp in varying patina's New linen shade Pairs available.
Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl Concrete Loop Chairs, 1st Edition
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Untersiggenthal, AG
Iconic furniture design by Willy Guhl. This chairs was designed by Willy Guhl in 1954 after Guhl watched as the Eternit panels left a machine at the Eternit factory in Niederurnen. The Loop chair...
Category

1950s European Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Mid-Century Modern Conical Shaped Planter by Willy Guhl for Eternit
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Large 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 Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Collection of 34 Willy Guhl Concrete Mirrors, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Absolutely stunning wall art made up of 34 Willy Guhl concrete cylinders with hand cut glass mirrors inside. Handmade in Switzerland with varying diameters and heights. The mirrors a...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl Concrete Pod Chair, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning concrete pod chair designed by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Hand made in Switzerland by Eternit in the 1960s. Gorgeous patina. Factory drill...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl Square Square Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The perfectly patina'd square Willy Guhl planter Priced Individually.
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Red 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. Amazing faded red patina across the whole outer body of the planter. Factory drilled drainag...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Red Concrete Cone Flower Pot, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete cone flower pot by Swiss architect and industrial designer Willy Guhl. Made in the 1960s in Switzerland. Beautifully faded dusty red patina across the whole outer body of th...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Large Library of Willy Guhl '1915-2004', Switzerland, 50s
By Willy Guhl
Located in VILLERS-SUR-MER, FR
A large fibrocement bookcase by Willy Guhl (1915-2004) composed of 68 elements of different sizes. Published by Eternit. Switzerland, 50s.
Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

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...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Concrete Urn with Handles, 1960s Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete urn by Willy Guhl in a heavy matte white paint. Urn has a delicate cement ridge around the mouth and two handles right under the upper rim. The body of the jar tapers down t...
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl for Eternit Cone Concrete Planter in Burgundy, circa 1968, Signed
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An incredible designer on-trend architectural concrete cone planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, circa 1968 Switzerland. This cone shaped concrete planter has a patinated burgundy red exterior finish. Consider using this as a bird-feeder or bird-bath, a sculptural art piece or a pot for succulents, weeping grass or plants. Signed on the inside near edge. We have a large collection of Willy Guhl for Eternit pots, planters, garden objects, jardinières, and patio furniture. We always have inventory in Diablo's, Tilted and Cone Planters, box and rectangular Guhl...
Category

1960s Swiss Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

2 Small Spindle or Diabolo Planter Designed by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Mouscron, WHT
2 Small spindle or diabolo planter designed by Swiss architect Willy Guhl The price is for one Two are available.
Category

1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Loop Chairs
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Pair of Willy Guhl "Loop" chairs with great patina. Sold as a pair of 2 chairs - 2 sets available Original Eternit production - Switzerland, circa 1950s.
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl Bookcase
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Incredible Concrete modular bookcase by Willy Guhl, Switzerland, 1960s Individual concrete cubes can be arranged in variety of shapes to suit whateve...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Low Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Willy Guhl low planters with shallow bowl that sits on matching base. Both planters have amazing patinas Priced individually.
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl, Concrete Pair of Spindle Planters, Eternit, 1960s
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Berlin, DE
Willy Guhl, spindle planters, manufactured by Eternit in the 1960s. Very nice patina, rare lower model with larger diameter!
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl and Robert Pansart Red Pod Chair in Cement, 1969
By Robert Pansart, Willy Guhl
Located in Santa Gertrudis, Baleares
Extremely rare iconic pod chair attributed to Willy Guhl, Many experts agree that this Pod Chair is actually the work of Robert Pansart, better known for his mirrors than for this ma...
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

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...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Planter, Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Copenhagen K, DK
Large and beautiful old garden pot / jardiniere, by the legendary Swiss designer Willy Guhl. A good conical design and with fantastic weathered patina....
Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl Saucer Bowl, 1960s Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Highly 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

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Diabolo Planter by Anton Bee and Willy Guhl for Eternit Switzerland, 1950
By Willy Guhl
Located in PARIS, FR
In 1951, eternity ag sought to collaborate with outside designers and asked willy guhl and his students to work on new plant containers. eternit, developed for the production of roof...
Category

1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Pair of Loop Armchairs by Willy Guhl for Eternit Switzerland 1950s
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in PARIS, FR
Armchair loop by willy guhl for the Swiss company eternit. Their collaboration began in the early 50's with a desire on the part of the Swiss firm to create garden furniture from the...
Category

1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Mid-Century Modern Large Diablo Planter by Willy Guhl for Eternit
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Diablo-shaped planter designed by Swiss architect and designer Willy Guhl for Eternit. This weather resistant piece combines beautiful organic lines with a wonderful patina. The na...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Planter, Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Copenhagen K, DK
Elegant outdoor pot/jardiniere, in an exceptionally rare and sought after version, by the legendary Swiss designer Willy Guhl. Formed in a charming jar des...
Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl Dish Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic 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

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Massive Willy Guhl Concrete Handkerchief Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Massive concrete handkerchief planter by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Fantastic patina and presence. Great planter or sculpture for the garden...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Pair of Triangular Planters by Willy Guhl, 1960s, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare pair of 1960’s triangular concrete planters designed by Swiss neo-functionalist and industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit in Switzerland. Each multifaceted planter...
Category

1960s Swiss Industrial Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Concrete Bowl Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Impressive elevated concrete bowl planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Dome shaped concrete base with a large built in concrete basin on top. Beautifu...
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Off-Kilter Planter Concrete Tilted Bowl, 1970s Switzerland a Pair
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Pair of Willy Guhl 'Off-Kilter' planter concrete tilted bowl, 1970s Switzerland. A pair of Mid-20th Century planters by Willy Guhl. Stunning concrete tilted bowl planter by Swiss a...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Concrete Peanut Planter, 1960s, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Monumental concrete basin planter by Willy Guhl. Handmade in Switzerland in the 1960s. Just under 4 feet in length. handmade in the shape of a peanut. P...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Loop Chair Set of Six '6' Plus Table
By Willy Guhl
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Set of six (6) Original Willy Guhl loop chairs with side table sold as a period-original set. The Loop Chair was created by the Swiss designer Willy...
Category

1950s Swiss Industrial Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Vintage Willy Guhl Concrete Loop Chairs, 1960s, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Iconic pair of concrete loop chairs by Willy Guhl. This pair of chairs were designed by Willy Guhl in 1954 after Guhl watched as the Eternit fiber ...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl Concrete Bowl Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large 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

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Table Lamp
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Petite Willy Guhl concrete table lamp with new linen shade Priced individually. Measures : H - 14.75" D - 9.25" L - 9.25".
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl "Biasca" Elephant Ear/ Hourglass Concrete Planter, Switzerland 1954
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in The Hague, NL
"Biasca" Elephant Ear large planter designed by Willy Guhl and Anton Bee and manufactured by Eternit AG, Switzerland 1954. This planter is made of cellulose infused fiber cement. Ve...
Category

1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl Small Bowl Planter, 1950s, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare 1950s planter bowl designed by Swiss neo-functionalist and Industrial Design Pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit in Switzerland. Sculpted from fiber cement which has slowly weathere...
Category

1950s Swiss Industrial Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Midcentury Large Shallow Willy Guhl Planter by Eternit
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Baambrugge, NL
Large shallow planter designed by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Manufactured by Eternit AG, who produced all of Guhl's designs. Made from fiber cement, t...
Category

1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Other

Swiss Mid Century Conical Green Concrete Diable Planter by Willy Gulh 1950
By Willy Guhl
Located in MIlano, IT
Swiss mid-century modern conical green concrete Diable planter or vase by Willy Gulh, 1950s Diable model planter or vase, entirely in concrete, with ...
Category

1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Monumental Willy Guhl Flower Pot, 1970s, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Monumental concrete flower pot by Willy Guhl. A natural grey concrete finish with minimal wear, this planter fits perfectly into any design story. Made...
Category

1970s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Tilted Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tilted concrete "soup-cup" planters by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Great patina and coloring to each planter. Excellent vintage condition. Great planter and standalone sculpture for ...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Monumental Willy Guhl Concrete Vase, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Immense concrete vase by Willy Guhl in a cream patina. Extremely rare model. Made of fiber cement. Decades of patina, moss and paint. Colors vary from cream and white to grey and bro...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Cement

Monumental Willy Guhl Concrete Arrowhead Planter, 1960s, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oversized concrete trough planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Stunning presence and design. Stretching an impressive 39" long, this trough is incredibly versatile and able to hold...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl Blue Concrete Cone Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large concrete cone planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. 2 available in a beautiful royal blue patina. Made in the 1960s in Switzerland. Great scale. Two available. Priced individu...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Monumental 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...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Willy Guhl furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Willy Guhl furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of stone and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Willy Guhl furniture, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 465 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 5 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Willy Guhl were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Eternit, Anton Bee, and Ludwig Walser. Prices for Willy Guhl furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $425 and can go as high as $145,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,800.

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