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.
Original Carl Aubock Walnut Tree Trunk Coffee Sofa Table, Vienna, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
An authentic vintage sculptural „Baumtisch“ tree trunk table from the 1950s, designed and crafted by Carl Auböck II. This unusual minimalist piece is made from a walnut wood slab wit...
Brass
AMBOSS Flatware by Carl Aubock Mid Century Modern Austria
By Amboss Austria, Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a flatware set by AMBOSS designed by Carl Aubock .Mid Century Modern Austria. Dimensions: Knive 8.38 , Spoon 7.75, Fork 7.75, Small spoon 5.88, Small f...
Stainless Steel
1930s Carl Aubock I Roll Top Storage Box, Cigarette Dispenser, Walnut, Vienna
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A storage box with a roll-down lid from the 1930s. This is an early design by Carl Auböck I, handcrafted by the Werkstätte Auböck workshop in Vienna, Austria. Handmade from walnut wo...
Brass, Nickel
Carl Aubock Culinar Flatware for Collini (Thirteen Pieces)
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Collini 1
Located in New York, NY
Culinar series flatware of stainless steel designed by Carl Aubock III (1924-1993) and manufactured by Collini, Austria in 1979. Thirteen pieces in total, consisting of the followin...
Stainless Steel
Key shaped Corkscrew by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Brass corkscrew shaped like a large key, with an oval loop handle and a cylindrical shaft ending in a bottle-opener cut-out. The worm twists out from the body; surface shows light we...
Brass, Steel
Pair Carl Auböck Minimalist Mid-Century Brass Bookends #3653, Vienna, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A pair of minimalist sculptural book ends in the organic shape. Model number 3653, handmade of solid patinated and partly polished brass. Designed by Werkstätte Carl Auböck in the 19...
Brass
2x Vintage Carl Auböck II Nickel-Plated Brass Wall Hooks, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Up to 2 Midcentury brass wall hooks, model 4330, designed and executed in the 1950s by Carl Aubock II in Vienna, Austria. Sold and priced per piece. This is the more unusual nickel-p...
Brass, Nickel
Carl Auböck Mid-Century Bookends with Brass Hands #1928, Vienna, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A pair of minimalist but charming sculptural book ends in the shape of a hands. Model number 1928, handmade of solid polished brass and metal, designed by Werkstätte Carl Auböck in t...
Metal, Brass
1930s Carl Aubock Large Art Deco Jewelry Storage Cigarette Box, Roll Top, Vienna
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A rare, curved and large Art Deco storage box, jewelry box, or cigarette dispenser featuring a roll-top lid with a small brass handle, dating from the 1930s. This is an early design ...
Brass, Nickel
Carl Auböck 2060 Flatware, 42 pcs., Complete For 6 Persons, Amboss Austria, 1950
By Neuzeughammer, Amboss Austria, Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A comprehensive set of midcentury flatware from the 1950s, the award-winning model 2060, designed by Carl Aubock and executed by Amboss Neuzeug Au...
Stainless Steel
Carl Auböck Bar Cart Drinks Trolley Serving Cart, Austria, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A wonderful example of Minimalist Modernist design, this two-tier bar cart or drinks serving trolley dates back to the 1960s/1970s. Crafted by the workshop Werkstätte Carl Auböck in ...
Iron
Carl Auböck Handcrafted Midcentury U-Shaped Brass Key Ring Chain Holder Knopferl
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist U-shaped keyring / keyholder / keychain "Knopferl", designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully...
Brass
Carl Auböck Handcrafted Midcentury Brass Shell Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist shell keyring / key holder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Length including...
Brass
Carl Aubock 1950s Butler Brass Ashtray for Illums Bolighus, Denmark
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Illums Bolighus
Located in Malmö, SE
A brass and walnut mid-century lidded ashtray with amazing original patina. Designed by Carl Auböck, Austria in the 1950s. Sold at 'Illums Bolighus' in Copenhagen, Denmark. Great ...
Brass
Carl Aubock II Rare Salt and Pepper Shakers, Walnut & Horn, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A wonderful and rare pair of Midcentury modern minimalism salt and pepper shakers from the 1950s. Designed and manufactured by Werkstatte Carl Aubock Vienna. The drop shaped shakers ...
Wood
Carl Auböck Midcentury Lucky Charm Pig Brass Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist pig keyring / keyholder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Aus...
Brass
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
Carl Auböck Midcentury Patinated Brass Wall Coat Hooks, 1950s, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Beautiful Austrian Mid-Century Modern solid brass hook by Carl Auböck II. Made of polished and patinated solid brass and come with the original brass screws. The same hooks were sold...
Brass
Carl Auböck Handcrafted Midcentury Brass Heart Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist heart keyring / keyholder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck ...
Brass
Carl Auböck Midcentury Elephant Handmade Brass Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist elephant keyring / keyholder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte A...
Brass
Carl Auböck Midcentury Brass Seahorse Handmade Key Ring Chain Holder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist seahorse keyring / key holder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully stamped a...
Brass
Carl Auböck 2 / 40 Midcentury Brass Plated Coat Hangers, No.5714, 1960s, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
2 of 40 Beautiful Mid-Century Modern cloth hangers designed and manufactured by Carl Auböck in 1960s. They are made of brass-plated solid steel. Of almost continuous organic shape wi...
Brass, Steel
Carl Auböck Handcrafted Midcentury Peanut Brass Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist peanut keyring / keyholder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully stamped and ...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #5275 'Hand Zumbusch' Brass Sculpture
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #5275 'Zumbusch Hand' Brass Sculpture Designed in the 1950s, as an homage to German sculptor Kaspar von Zumbusch, this incredibly refined and sculptural bejeweled ...
Brass
$360 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4329 Polished Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4329 Polished Brass Hook. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and minimalist midcentury wall hook is executed in choice of patinated brass, polished brass, or p...
Brass
Large Carl Auböck Model #5072 'Chain' Nickel Paperweight
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Large Carl Auböck Model #5072 'Chain' Nickel Paperweight Executed in nickel-plated cast iron and designed in the 1950s, this incredibly clean and refined Viennese paperweight is han...
Iron, Nickel
Carl Auböck Midcentury Brass Star Sea Star Starfish Key Ring Chain Holder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist star keyring / key holder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully stamped and m...
Brass
$430 / item
Carl Auböck Model #3844 Polished Brass Bowl
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #3844 polished brass bowl. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl or catch-all is executed in polished brass. Originally conc...
Brass
$380 / item
Carl Auböck #4995 Patinated Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck #4995 Patinated Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in polished and patinated brass by We...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #4223 'Hand' Brass Paperweight
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4223 'Hand' Brass Paperweight Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly clean and refined Viennese paperweight is hand fabricated in polished brass by Werkstätte Car...
Brass
$2,290 / item
Carl Auböck 'Nun' Floor Lamp in Brass
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck 'Nun' floor lamp in brass. Designed in 1950, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese lamps is executed in brass with a cast brass base and sc...
Brass, Iron
Carl Aubock Tree Trunk Table No 21 Austria 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Čelinac, BA
Carl Aubock Trunck Tree Table Austria 1950s
Mahogany
$682 / item
Carl Auböck Model #3975 Brass Vase
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #3975 brass vase. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese vase is executed in polished and darkly ...
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3653 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #3653 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Each pi...
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3847 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3847 Brass Bookends Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in polished and patinated brass. Each piec...
Brass
$2,590 / item
Carl Auböck Vice Versa Floor Lamp
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck vice versa floor lamp. These iconic and Minimalist Viennese floor lamps are executed in brass, wicker and cast aluminum designed by...
Iron, Brass
Carl Auböck Four Rare Midcentury Rattan Couch Tables, 1980s, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Beautiful and rare rattan top coffee or side tables, manufactured by Carl Auböck Werkstätte in the 1980s, Vienna. The frames are made of black lacquered steel with woven rattan top. ...
Metal
Carl Aubock Side Table, Flower Plant Bench, Iron, Rattan, Wicker, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful rectangular Mid-Century side table / bench from the 1950s. This authentic vintage minimalist piece was designed by Carl Auböck II and crafted by Werkstätte Auböck, Vienna...
Metal, Steel, Iron
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4635 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4635 Brass Bookends Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Each piec...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #5371 'Heart' Polished Nickel Paperweight
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #5371 'Heart' Polished Nickel Paperweight Designed in the 1950s, this beautifully refined Viennese paperweight is hand-fabricated in polished nickel-plated brass b...
Nickel, Brass
Carl Auböck Model #5371 'Heart' Polished Brass Paperweight
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #5371 'Heart' Polished Brass Paperweight Designed in the 1950s, this beautifully refined Viennese paperweight is hand-fabricated in polished brass by Werkstätte Ca...
Brass
$800 / item
Carl Auböck Model #3794 'Aorta' Brass Vase
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #3794 'Aorta' brass vase. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese vase is executed in polished and darkly patinated brass by Werkst...
Brass
$300 / item
Carl Auböck Model #5262 Patinated Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #5262 Patinated Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in darkly patinated and polished brass by Werkstätte Carl...
Brass
Carl Auböck '4723' Patinated Brass Plug-In Wall Light With White Shade
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck '4723' Patinated Brass Plug-In Wall Light With White Shade. Designed in 1950, this versatile and minimalist Viennese lamp is executed in brass with a cast iron base and ...
Brass
$360 / item
Carl Auböck Model #9040 Polished Brass Knob
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #9040 Polished Brass Knob Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese knob is executed in polished brass by Werkstätte...
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4575 Patinated Square Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4575 Patinated Square Brass Bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and geometric pair of bookends are executed in patinated brass with ...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #4482 Patinated Brass Square Dish
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4482 Patinated Brass Square Dish Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl is executed in polished and darkly patinated brass. O...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #4330-2 Patinated Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4330-2 Patinated Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in patinated and polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Aubö...
Brass
$2,960 / set
Grouping of Eight Carl Auböck Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Grouping of eight Carl Auböck brass bookends. Includes one pair each of Models #3651, #3652, #3653 & #3654. Designed in the 1950s, these i...
Brass
Set of 5 Mid-Century Modern Brass Wall Hooks, Austria, Polished
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of five #4994 wall hooks by Carl Auböck.
Brass
Carl Auböck #7211 Letter Opener "Turned", Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #7211 letter opener "Turned", Austria 2022.
Brass
Carl Auböck #3431 Leaf Ashtray, Patinated Brass, Austria, 2022 Design
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #3431 ashtray "Leaf", Austria 2022.
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Brass Bookends by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Classis pair of Carl Auböck bookend in a patina and polish brass mix.
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #4867 2-inch 'Egg' Brass Paperweight
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4867 2-inch 'Egg' Brass Paperweight Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly clean and refined Viennese paperweight is hand fabricated in polished brass by Werkstät...
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3530 'Flatiron' Brass and Cane Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3530 Brass and Cane 'Flatiron' Bookends Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in polished or patinat...
Brass
$4,020 / item
Carl Auböck Leather and Cast Iron Chess Set #5606
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Leather and Cast Iron Chess Set #5606 Authorized re-edition of a design originally produced by Carl Auböck III. This set is handmade in the original Auböck workshop in t...
Iron, Nickel
Carl Auböck Model #5663 'Shell' Brass Figurine Keyring
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, 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 Aubock Modernist Cast Iron Chess Game Set with Handmade Leather Board
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A very exceptional and beautiful Minimalist Mid-Century Modern chess game, model #5606, designed by Carl Aubock III in 1969. Executed by Werkstätte Aub...
Iron, Nickel
Wooden Fruit Bowl with Six Knives by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Turned wooden fruit bowl by Werkstätten Carl Auböck with integrated central cork knife holder, accompanied by six fruit knives by Ed. Wüsthof, Solingen, with cane-wrapped handles. ...
Steel
Carl Auböck Model #5600 'Heart' Solid Brass Keyring w/ Signature
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #5600 'Heart' Solid Brass Keyring w/ Signature Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural object is hand fabricated...
Brass