Pair of Willy Guhl Cone Planters for Eternit

There are some objects that seem to improve with a life spent outdoors. These are among them.

Designed by Swiss modernist Willy Guhl for Eternit during the 1950s and 60s, this pair of conical planters distils everything that made Guhl such an influential figure in post-war design. Simple geometric forms, industrial materials and an unwavering belief that utility and beauty should be one and the same.

Each planter is formed from Eternit fibre cement, a material Guhl championed throughout his career for its durability and surprising versatility. Suspended within slender steel tripod frames, the inverted cone form appears almost to float above the ground, lending the pieces a sculptural lightness despite their substantial construction.

Decades of exposure to the elements have left behind a wonderfully nuanced surface. Soft mineral staining, traces of lichen and a beautifully weathered patina have settled into the fibre cement, creating a finish that would be impossible to reproduce artificially. The result feels less like decoration and more like a collaboration between design and time.

Guhl trained as a cabinetmaker before becoming one of Switzerland's most important industrial designers and educators. His work for Eternit helped redefine the possibilities of fibre cement, producing a series of now-iconic outdoor furniture and garden forms that remain as relevant today as they were seventy years ago. These planters embody that same quiet intelligence: practical, enduring and effortlessly architectural.

Whether used as planters, garden sculptures or simply as decorative objects, they possess the sort of presence that comes from absolute confidence in the purity of their form.

Price is for the pair.

Condition

Superb vintage condition. Both planters remain entirely intact with no structural issues. The fibre cement retains a beautiful weathered surface with age-related patination, mineral deposits and traces of historic outdoor use consistent with their age. Steel tripod bases remain sound and stable.

Measurements

Diameter: 60 cm

Delivery

This piece requires specialist courier delivery. We work with trusted carriers experienced in handling vintage and design objects. Delivery is charged at cost and depends on your location — we’ll be in touch to confirm a tailored quote once you place your order. If you’d like an estimate beforehand, just drop us a line.