Willy Guhl Sculptural Diabolo Hourglass Planter – Swiss Mid-Century Eternit Garden Vessel

This monumental sculptural planter is an original design by Willy Guhl, the influential Swiss designer celebrated for his groundbreaking work with Eternit fiber cement and his lasting impact on Mid-Century Modern garden and architectural design. The planter features Guhl’s signature hourglass form, with a wide flared bowl and a matching conical base joined by a narrow central waist, creating a powerful yet balanced sculptural profile.

Crafted in Eternit-style fiber cement and finished in a warm burnt sienna, the surface exhibits extensive, authentic weathering developed through decades of outdoor use. Areas of worn finish, exposed cement, mineral deposits, and organic patina are visible throughout, giving the piece exceptional depth and character. The interior bowl shows heavy age-related staining consistent with long-term garden placement, a hallmark of original mid-century Guhl planters rather than later reproductions.

The scale, proportions, material, and construction align closely with documented Willy Guhl garden vessels produced in Switzerland during the mid-20th century. This piece functions equally well as a dramatic planter or as a standalone sculptural object and is ideally suited for modern landscapes, architectural gardens, courtyards, or Brutalist-inspired interiors. A rare and commanding example of Swiss modernist outdoor design.

Dimensions: 22" diam. x 36" H