In Vienna’s Neubau district, a beautiful Biedermeier townhouse has been home to the Werkstätte Carl Auböck for more than 100 years. Inside the workshop, where production continues to this day, countless objects line the shelves, walls, tabletops and desktops.
The Viennese artist and designer Carl Auböck II was one of the quirkiest and most delightful and collectible of modern designers. A rather odd duck in the world of decorative arts, he was a peculiar talent whose specialties included smaller desk accessories and tabletop pieces such as corkscrews, paperweights, letter openers, bookends and bottle stoppers. He rendered these pieces in a combination of metal — most often brass — and such elemental materials as leather, knobby wood and animal horn, creating forms that could be almost Surrealist, from hands and feet to keys, birds and amoebae.
As a boy, Auböck was precocious and artistic. He studied drawing and at the same time trained in the workshop of his father, Karl Heinrich Auböck, a popular maker of traditional bronze figurines and collectibles. In 1919, Carl II went to Germany to study at the Bauhaus, where he was a pupil of the progressive artist and theorist Johannes Itten. While the Bauhaus is most associated with the rigidly ordered, functionalist architecture of its directors Walter Gropius and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the school was in reality a liberal, spirited place — a crucible for imaginative, playful and avant-garde art and design. It was this spirit that imbued Carl II’s work from the time he left in 1921.
In 1922 or ’23, Carl Auböck II returned to Vienna to help care for his ailing father, and he took over the business. He created the Werkstätte Carl Auböck and a legacy that earned his objects cult status among collectors. The business was passed on to his descendants, who run the atelier that is still in operation today. Today, objects designed by Carl II make up 90 percent of Werkstätte Carl Auböck’s production, joined by the creations of architect and designer Carl IV, his grandson.
Vintage Auböck designs have a special character, a patina that only emphasizes how much the pieces have been loved and used. Carl Aubock II’s small furniture items — leather- or caned-sling magazine racks; free-edge wooden side tables with tubular bronze legs; wicker serving trolleys with turned beechwood wheels — are elegant and purposeful. His bijoux desktop objects, library tools, ashtrays and barware pieces evince a kind of mirthful practicality. They seem to ask: “If you need a corkscrew, or a paperweight, or a candlestick, why not make it fun as well as functional?” And indeed, why not?
Find a collection of vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck mirrors, seating, tables, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Mid-Century Modern Brass & Horn Lighter by Werkstätte Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Lighter, Austria 1960s.
Brass
Authentic Massive Brass Ashtray and Extinguisher by Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
In this listing you will find an extremely rare brass ashtray or pipe holder designed by Carl Auböck in 1948. It features beautiful and elegant lines, part of the exquisite craftsman...
Brass
Auböck Cigarette Box, Ash Wood and Nickel Plated Brass, 1930s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Aubock cigarette box, made of ash wood and nickel plated brass, openable from both sides. Adorable early Art Deco box, by the famous Bauhaus Architekt...
Brass, Nickel
Carl Auböck Mid-Century Humidor, Brass & Leather, Austria, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Humidor by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Cylindrical leather-wrapped body with hand-stitched detail and a solid brass lid. Metal-lined interior with removable insert. Beautiful patina and ...
Brass, Aluminum
Elegant Mid Century Modern Brass Pipe Holder By Carl Auböck, Austria 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in München, BY
Elegant midcentury brass pipe stand designed and manufactured by Carl Auböck, Austria circa 1950. The sculptural pipe stand is cast from solid brass. A great patina covers the bras...
Brass
$2,700Sale Price|40% Off
Rare Carl Aubock Copper & Brass Tripod Floor Ashtray, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A rare modernist vintage floor standing ashtray from the 1950s, designed and executed by Carl Auböck, Vienna. The bowl of this beautiful...
Brass, Copper
1960s Leather-Wrapped Humidor by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Humidor by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Cylindrical leather-wrapped body with hand-stitched detail and a solid brass lid. Metal-lined interior with removable insert. Beautiful patina and ...
Aluminum, Brass
Audi Merchandise Chrome Plated Roll-Top Cigarette Dispenser, Carl Aubock, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
The presented rolltop dispenser was a merchandise gift designed and produced by Carl Auböck for Audi (Autounion) in the 1950s. Made from the typical chrome plated brass, a lacquer...
Brass, Chrome
Wooden table lighter by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Lighter, Austria 1960s.
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brass Copper Carl Auböck Standing Ashtray Vienna 1950
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid-Century Modern vintage brass and copper standing ashtray, which was designed by Carl Auböck and manufactured by Workshop Carl Auböck, Vien...
Brass, Copper
Leather & Brass Humidor #3617 by Carl Auböck II, 1940s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in London, GB
A leather-clad, brass-lidded humidor, designed by Carl Aubock II during the 1950s. The combination of brass and leather is typical of the designs by the second-generation Carl Aubö...
Brass
Piston Ashtray from Carl Aubock 1930
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Carl Aubock cigarette ashtray, mid-20th century. Crafted in brass with a push-down mechanism to extinguish cigarettes neatly into the concealed compartment. A refined example of Aubo...
Metal
Pipe Rack in Brass and Leather by Carl Auböck, 1950′s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Pipe Rack in Brass and Leather by Carl Auböck, 1950′s Additional Information: Material: Brass and leather Style: Mid century, Austria Produced in Austria Dimensions: (W x D x H): 9 ...
Brass
Signed Heavy Brass Ashtray by Carl Auböck Vienna Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
The piece on offer is a unique example of mid-century craftsmanship. It was designed and produced by the renowned Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck. Aubock was visibly influenced by the German school of Bauhaus as he did part of his studies there. This influence is also noticeable in the presented item. This archaic heavy ashtray...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Pipe Holder by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Pipe Holder, Austria 1960s.
Brass
Brass pipe rack with five cradles by Werkstätte Carl Auböck , Austria 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Pipe Holder, Austria 1960s.
Brass
Brass Pipe Paperweight by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria, 1955
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in New York, NY
Carl Auböck Pipe Paperweight, Brass, Signed. Small scale meticulously detailed brass pipe paperweight by Viennese designer Carl Auböck.
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Brass Pipe Holder by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Pipe Holder, Austria 1960s.
Brass
$192Sale Price / item|20% Off
Carl Aubock Brass Cigar Snuffer #4117
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock brass cigar snuffer #4117. Produced by Carl Auböck IV in the original Auböck workshop in Vienna, Austria using the same standards, high-quality materials, molds and techn...
Brass
Carl Auböck Snakeskin Wrapped Brass Pipe Stand
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Brass and snakeskin pipe stand by Austrian industrial designer Carl Auböck, c.1950s. The curved brass frame is partially wrapped in a tan and brown snakeskin. Dimensions: 5" widt...
Brass
$462 / item
H 0.79 in W 3.94 in D 3.75 in
Carl Auböck #3844-2 Brass Ashtray, Patinated Finish, Austria, 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #3844-2 ashtray, Austria 2022.
Brass
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 18.75 in W 25 in D 19 in
Vintage John Players Navy Cut Cigarette Advertising Shipping Crate or Box
By Imperial Amphora
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Made in the mid-1860s, this wooden and silk screened shipping crate was made for the iconic Player's Navy Cut cigarettes. The crate appears to have been shipp...
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Pipe Holder by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Pipe Holder, Austria 1960s.
Brass
$1,386
H 1.19 in W 4.53 in D 3.55 in
Solid Brass Ashtray by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, 1960s Mid-Century Modern
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck ashtray in solid brass, executed in an organic, pebble-like form with a small integrated rest, characteristic of Auböck’s sculptural yet fun...
Brass
$1,386
H 3.75 in W 10.04 in D 1.97 in
Brass pipe rack with five cradles by Werkstätte Carl Auböck , Austria 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Pipe Holder, Austria 1960s.
Brass
Carl Auböck Ashtray "Marked by Auböck"
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Wien, Au
Carl Auböck ashtray "Marked by Auböck" Original condition.
Brass
Antique Asian Wood Opium Container with Lid and Brass Pull
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Decorative Antique Asian round wood box container with lid and brass pull. Vintage collectible Asian wooden tobacco or opium round container. Round shaped lidded opium container...
Wood
Carl Auböck Model #5663 'Shell' Brass Figurine Keyring
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Aubo¨ck model #5663 'Shell' brass figurine keyring. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural object is hand fabricated in polished brass. Price is per it...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #5608 'Donkey' Brass Figurine Keyring
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #5608 'Donkey' Brass Figurine Keyring Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural object is hand fabricated in polished brass. Price is per ite...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #5734 'Hand' Brass Figurine Keyring
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #5734 'Hand' Brass Figurine Keyring Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural object is hand fabricated in polished brass. Each piece is stampe...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #5617 'Peanut' Brass Figurine Keyring
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck model #5617 'Peanut' brass figurine keyring. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural object is hand fabricated in polished brass. Price is per i...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #5655 'Seahorse' Brass Figurine Keyring
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck model #5655 'Seahorse' brass figurine keyring. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural object is hand fabricated in polished brass. Price is per...
Brass
Brass & Leather Watch or Pipe Stand Carl Auböck II, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in London, GB
Description: A leather-bound brass stand designed and made by Carl Auböck II during the 1950s.Testament to his time spent at the Bauhaus under the tutelage of Joannes Itten, this uni...
Brass
Cane Cigarette Box #3656 by Carl Auböck II, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in London, GB
A walnut cigarette box with chrome-plated brass sides and cane wrapped lid. Designed by Carl Auböck II during the 1950s, cane, wood, and brass elements combine to create this beaut...
Brass, Chrome
Midcentury Carl Auböck Pipe Rest Made from Brass
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
For sale is a beautiful decorative pipe rest. It was hand-crafted from brass and has been embellished with mustard yellow covering, that has been wrapped partly around the brass to p...
Brass
Carl Auböck Ashtray "Love", Austria 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Ashtray, Austria 1960s.
Steel
1950s Carl Aubock Tobacco Pot Vintage Mid-Century Design Jewelry Trinket Box
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Designed to be a small Tobacco Pot, but could be for earrings or trinkets. A beautiful mix of materials.
Brass
Carl Auböck Tobacco Jar #2
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in London, GB
Vintage tobacco jar by the Auböck werkstätte, Vienna, circa 1950. The jar is coated ostrich leather of a brown warm colour and has a lid in brass...
Brass
Carl Auböck Tobacco Jar #1
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in London, GB
Vintage tobacco jar designed and made by the Auböck workshop, Vienna, circa 1950. Covered in ostrich leather, the jar has a lid in brass with a ...
Brass
Vintage Mid-Century Carl Auböck Pipe Stand in Leather and Brass
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in London, GB
A vintage brass and leather pipe rest designed and made by Carl Auböck II, circa 1950. The organic brass shape is solid cast brass and the leather tightly stitched around the bowl o...
Brass
Sold
H 1.97 in W 3.55 in D 2.17 in
Carl Auböck II 1950s Vintage Leather and Brass Sculptural Pipe Rest
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in London, GB
A vintage leather bound brass pipe stand designed and made by Carl Auböck II, circa 1950. The sculptural brass stand is cast in solid brass. High quality tan leather is tightly stitc...
Brass
Carl Auböck II Solid Brass Biomorphic Modernist Ashtray, Vide Poche
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in London, GB
A large sand cast solid brass dish designed by Carl Auböck II. Although originally designed to be an ashtray the size of the object also allows it to be used as a vide poche for spar...
Brass
Carl Auböck Storage Box with Roll Top, Austria, 1930s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A rare storage box, made of black-lacquered wood and nickel-plated brass, a very early design from the 1930s by Carl Auböck, Austria. In very good c...
Carl Aubock Double Pipe Holder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in London, GB
Double pipe holder by Carl Auböck, made in the Viennese Werkstatte, in the 1950s. Rare piece in great condition.
Brass