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Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Austrian

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.

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Item Ships From: USA
Creator: Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Carl Auböck Model #4224 'Hand' Brass Bottle Opener
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4224 'Hand' brass bottle opener. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural bottle opener is executed in polished brass. Price is per item. Th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Brass

Carl Aubock Rare Barware Decanter
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chicago, IL
Carl Auböck Rare Barewear Decanter, cork top, mahogany wood with leather embossed clock face image. Werkstätte Carl Auböck Austria, c. 1950 glass, embossed leather with gilding, cork...
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Glass, Mahogany, Cork

Rare Werkstätte Carl Auböck Bronze, Cane and Art Glass Wine Decanter
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Las Vegas, NV
early 1950's Werkstätte Carl Auböck bronze, cane and glass wine decanter. Marked "11" on stand end. Prototype, circa 1950's. Excellent condition.
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Bronze

Carl Auböck Fondue Forks
By Amboss Austria, Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in San Diego, CA
Carl Auböck fondue forks for Amboss. With original box. Made in Austria. Stamped on the forks,
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Carl Aubock Made in Austria Hand Bottle Opener Bar Tool Desk Accessory Vintage
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Atlanta, GA
A vintage, mid century figural hand bottle opener designed by Carl Aubock and stamped Made In Austria. In vintage condition with a beautiful patina with the requisite nicks and marks...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Brass

Carl Aubock Made Austria Rattan Wrapped Brass Pipe Rest Desk Accessory Vintage
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Atlanta, GA
A vintage, mid century rattan wrapped solid brass pipe rest designed by Carl Aubock and stamped Made In Austria. In vintage condition with a beautiful patina with the requisite nicks...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Glass Pitcher with Cane Wrapped Handle, 1950's
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Modern Carl Auböck Glass Pitcher with his classic caned wrapped handle. Featuring a handcrafted large, wide mouth clear Austrian Glass Pitcher with...
Category

1950s Austrian Modern Vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Cane, Glass

Carl Aubock "Wrist" Hand Cork Stopper #4220
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock "Wrist" hand Cork stopper #4220. This beautifully crafted cork stopper by Carl Aubock is a wonderful example of the marriage of form and funct...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Brass

Stainless Steel and Horn Bottle Opener by Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage stainless steel and horn bottle opener by Carl Auböck, circa 1950s. The piece was hand-crafted in Austria, is in great vintage con...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Glass and Brass Decanter by Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Decanter by Austrian industrial designer Carl Auböck, circa 1950. The glass decanter is set in an brass stand with leather wrapped stem. Marked Germany. Dimensions 17” length x 1...
Category

1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Brass

Carl Aubock "Palm" Hand Cork Stopper #4220
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock "Palm" hand cork stopper #4220. This beautifully crafted cork stopper by Carl Aubock is a wonderful example of the marriage of form and functi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Brass

Carl Aubock Polished Brass Hand Bottle Opener #4224
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock polished brass hand bottle opener #4224. This whimsical 1950's hand bottle opener by Carl Aubock is a wonderful example of the marriage ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Model #4230 'Skull' Polished Brass Corkscrew
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4230 'Skull' Polished Brass Corkscrew. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese corkscrew is executed ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Walnut Board and Cheese Knife
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck walnut board and cheese knife. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural set includes one model #4363 serving or cutting b...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Steel

Fish Bottle Opener by Carl Auböck, Stainless Steel and Cane
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Kansas City, MO
Bottle opener by Carl Auböck. Stainless steel with rare cane cover detail. Hardly used.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Carl Auböck Model #4363 Walnut Board
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #4363 walnut board. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural serving or cutting board is executed in beautifully grained walnut and leather. P...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Cane, Leather, Walnut

Wood Nutcracker Designed by Carl Auböck III
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chicago, IL
This nutcracker by Carl Auböck III by is a simply elegant design. The wooden sides feel very nice in hand, and the ebony and maple contrast and complem...
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Ebony, Maple

Related Items
Carl Aubock Patinated Brass Bookends #4636
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock patinated brass bookends #4636. Produced by Carl Auböck IV in the original Auböck workshop in Vienna, Austria using the same standards, high-quality materials, original m...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Brass

Rare Carl Auböck Martini Newspaper Glass Pitcher, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful glass pitcher from the 1950s, designed and executed by Carl Auböck, Austria. Usually these pitchers have a leather belt, but this one has a lovely newspaper decor on its ...
Category

20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Brass

Large Carl Aubock Brass Key Corkscrew Bottle Opener Paperweight, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful sculptural Mid-Century cork screw bottle opener in the shape of a big key. This is a rare and not common model, designed by Carl Aubock, executed by the Carl Aubock works...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Brass

Carl Aubock Brass Maria Theresia Coin Bottle Opener, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful brass coin bottle opener, designed and executed by Carl Aubock in the 1950s. In good condition with nice patina.
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck II Brass Bottle Opener, Maria Theresia Coin, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful solid brass bottle opener, designed and executed by Carl Auböck II in the 1950s. Marked: Made in Austria. In good condition with nice patina.
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck #4233-2 Letter Opener
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #4233-2 Letter Opener, Austria 2022.
Category

2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck #4233-2 Letter Opener
Carl Auböck #4233-2 Letter Opener
H 0.79 in W 9.85 in D 1.03 in
Carl Aubock "Wrist" Hand Cork Stopper #4220
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock "Wrist" hand Cork stopper #4220. This beautifully crafted cork stopper by Carl Aubock is a wonderful example of the marriage of form and funct...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Brass

Carl Aubock "Wrist" Hand Cork Stopper #4220
Carl Aubock "Wrist" Hand Cork Stopper #4220
H 5.32 in W 2.56 in D 0.99 in
Carl Auböck Fish Shaped Bottle Opener, Vienna, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Wien, AT
Carl Auböck fish shaped bottle opener, Vienna, 1950s Wood handle Bottle opener model no. 4687 Carl Auböck II.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Carl Aubock Brass "Hand" Letter Opener #7208
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock Brass "Hand" Letter Opener #7208. Currently produced by Carl Auböck IV in the original Auböck workshop in Vienna, Austria using the same standards, high-quality materials...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Fish Shaped Bottle Opener, Vienna, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Wien, AT
Carl Auböck fish shaped bottle opener, Vienna, 1950s Bottle opener model no. 4687 Carl Auböck II.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Key and Cork Screw by Carl Aubock
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Wonderful large grass old key, with hidden steel screw In original good condition with normal wear and tear.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Brass, Steel

Key and Cork Screw by Carl Aubock
Key and Cork Screw by Carl Aubock
H 4.73 in W 0.6 in D 2.76 in
Original Midcentury Carl Auböck Horn and Leather Letter Opener
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
For sale is a unique piece of Mid-Century Modern design. The letter opener was carefully hand carved out of horn. It was produced in the renowned Austrian workshops of Bauhaus-influe...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Horn, Leather

Previously Available Items
Carl Auböck Solid Bronze Scoop Bowl
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in San Diego, CA
Solid bronze scoop bowl by Carl Aubock. Signed Aubock. Made in Austria. 1960s. Quality craftsmanship with a great patina.
Category

1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Bronze

Carl Auböck Solid Bronze Scoop Bowl
Carl Auböck Solid Bronze Scoop Bowl
H 1.25 in W 3.25 in D 6.5 in
Carl Auböck Solid Bronze Hand Opener
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in San Diego, CA
Solid bronze hand shaped bottle opener by Carl Aubock, Austria. 1960s.
Category

1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Bronze

Carl Auböck Solid Bronze Hand Opener
Carl Auböck Solid Bronze Hand Opener
H 0.25 in W 2.25 in D 5 in
Carl Auböck Fish Bottle Opener in Rosewood & Steel
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Carl Auböck steel and rosewood large scale fish bottle opener circa late 1950s.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Steel

Carl Auböck Brass Key Corkscrew
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Known for his witty approach to modern industrial design, Austrian designer Carl Auböck designed this corkscrew to appear as a brass key.
Category

1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Brass Key Corkscrew
Carl Auböck Brass Key Corkscrew
H 5 in W 3 in D 0.5 in
Leather Wrapped Carl Auböck Fish Shaped Bottle Opener
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in San Diego, CA
Carl Auböck Neptune stainless steel fish bottle opener in brown leather. Designed in 1955 and hand-crafted in Austria.
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Brass and Leather Ice Tongs by Carl Auböck for Illums Bolighus
By Illums Bolighus, Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in San Diego, CA
Finely crafted brass and leather tongs by Carl Auböck for Illums Bolighus. 1950s
Category

1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Brass

Carl Aubock Brass Key Bottle Opener Corkscrew
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Garnerville, NY
Carl Aubock solid brass key bottle opener and cork screw. Signed Aubock, Made in Austria. Circa 1950. Aubock designs are always a sign of quality, beauty and...
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Brass

Vintage Carl Auböck Austria Bronze Foot Corkscrew Bottle Opener
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Carl Auböck bronze foot corkscrew measures 4" by 3.5" by 1.2" and is signed Auböck, Made in Austria. In very good vintage condition with wear and tarnish...
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Bronze

Brass Bottle Opener by Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A finely modeled and well-patinated Mid-Century Modern brass bottle opener having a flattened end enabling it to stand. Designed and manufactured b...
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Brass

Brass Bottle Opener by Carl Auböck
Brass Bottle Opener by Carl Auböck
H 2.75 in W 1.75 in D 0.75 in
Brass Corkscrew by Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A Mid-Century Modern brass corkscrew wine bottle opener in the form of a skull. Designed and made by Carl Auböck in Austria, 1940s.
Category

1940s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Brass

Brass Corkscrew by Carl Auböck
Brass Corkscrew by Carl Auböck
H 0.5 in W 4.5 in D 6 in
Signed Carl Auböck Brass and Leather Nutcracker, Austria 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in New York, NY
Another beautiful utilitarian object designed by architect and designer Carl Auböck.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Brass

1950s Carl Auböck Glass Pitcher with Cane Wrapped Handle
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Modern Carl Auböck glass pitcher with caned wrapped handle, circa 1950s. 3" top diameter.
Category

1950s Austrian Modern Vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck Barware

Materials

Cane, Glass

Werkstätte Carl Auböck barware for sale on 1stDibs.

Werkstätte Carl Auböck barware are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Werkstätte Carl Auböck barware, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 84 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 18 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original barware by Werkstätte Carl Auböck were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider barware by Walter Bosse, Herta Baller, and Richard Rohac. Prices for Werkstätte Carl Auböck barware can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $202 and can go as high as $3,235, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $690.

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