Set of Three Modular Garden Planters Attributed to Willy Guhl for Eternit, c. 1970 - 31½" x 21¾"

This striking set of three modular garden planters, attributed to Swiss designer Willy Guhl for Eternit, dates from around 1970. Made from molded fiber cement, each planter has a low, generously sized basin with rounded walls and distinctive inward-curving sides. Their clever modular design allows them to be arranged in different configurations, either forming a continuous, undulating composition or grouped more freely. 

The surfaces have developed an extraordinary patina over decades of outdoor exposure. An old coat of terracotta-red paint has gradually faded and worn away, revealing the pale gray cement beneath. Patches of moss and lichen, chalky white deposits and earthy discoloration create an almost painterly combination of dusty pink, ocher, cream and gray. The weathered surfaces and irregularities along the edges contribute to their wonderfully expressive, timeworn appearance. They are pierced for drainage. 

With their bold, sculptural shapes and beautifully aged surfaces, these planters combine the simplicity of mid-century modernist design with the atmosphere of an old Mediterranean garden. They would look fabulous planted with aromatic herbs, lavender or trailing greenery along a stone terrace or garden wall. Their modular nature also invites experimentation, allowing the arrangement to evolve with the surrounding space.

Note: For outdoor use. As vintage fiber cement may contain asbestos, the planters should be left in their present condition, without drilling, sanding, scraping or otherwise altering their existing patina.