Werkstätte Carl Auböck Lighting
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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Creator: Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Carl Auböck 'Nun' Floor Lamp
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck 'Nun' floor lamp. Designed in 1950, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese lamps is executed in brass with a cast iron base and sculptural ha...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Lighting
Materials
Brass, Iron
Carl Auböck '4723' Wall Light
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck '4723' wall light. Executed in patinated brass with hard white paper shade. Designed in 1950, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese lamps is...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Lighting
Materials
Brass
Carl Auböck Kugelleuchte Model 4905 Austria 1969
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Munich, DE
Carl Auebock designed and manufactured this rare floor lamp in 1969.
The model name is 4095 and it is called Kugelleuchte, like Ball lamp.
Made in a nickel plated metal frame and a f...
Category
1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck Lighting
Materials
Metal
Pair of Carl Auböck Vice Versa Floor Lamps
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck vice versa floor lamps. Executed in brass, wicker and cast iron designed by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria, circ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Lighting
Materials
Iron, Brass
Carl Auböck 'Horseshoe' Table Lamp
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck 'Horseshoe' table lamp. Designed in the 1950s, these versatile and Minimalist Viennese table lamps are executed in bamboo and brass wit...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Lighting
Materials
Brass
Carl Aubock II Nun Table Lamp Model No. 4263
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The traditional Carl Auböck workshop is still placed in its original Viennese townhouse in the 7th district. In the years of its foundation the workshop mainly produced the so called...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Lighting
Materials
Brass
Carl Auböck V L136M ‘Horizont’ Lamp
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
The L136M "Horizont" lamp is the first creation of Carl Auböck V. trained by his father, Auböck V has incorporated the celebrated Werkstätte heritage, as...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Minimalist Werkstätte Carl Auböck Lighting
Materials
Brass
Carl Auböck Vice Versa Floor Lamp
By Wiener Werkstätte, Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck vice versa floor lamp. These iconic and Minimalist Viennese floor lamps are executed in brass, wicker and cast iron designed by Werk...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Lighting
Materials
Iron, Brass
Carl Auböck X-Lamp Floor Lamp
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck X-lamp floor lamp. Designed in 1950, these versatile and Minimalist Viennese lamps are executed in bamboo and brass with a heavy X-shaped bra...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Lighting
Materials
Brass
Carl Auböck #4264 Floor Lamp "Nun", Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #4264 floor lamp "Nun", Austria.
Category
2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Lighting
Materials
Brass
Werkstätte Carl Auböck 'Nun' Table Lamp
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Werkstätte Carl Auböck 'Nun' table lamp. Designed in 1950, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese lamp is executed in brass with a cast iron base and scu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Lighting
Materials
Brass, Iron
Important Carl Aubock Vice Versa Floor Lamp 1950's
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Important vintage 1950's Carl Aubock Vice Versa Floor Lamp 1950's. From an important collection. Please inquire for additional inform...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Lighting
Materials
Brass, Iron
Carl Aubock original rare early example of Vice Versa floor lamp c.1950’s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in London, GB
A mid-century original Vice Versa or Topsy Turvy floor lamp. Made from cast iron and designed by Carl Aubock, Vienna, 1951-1952 and executed by Werkstätte Carl Auböck.
A good early...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Lighting
Materials
Iron
Carl Auböck #3740-1 Floor Lamp "Butterfly"
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #3740-1 Floor Lamp "Butterfly" in patinated brass, manila and chintz. The base is available both in polished brass or patinated brass.
Category
2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Lighting
Materials
Brass
Carl Auböck #4105-3 Vice Versa Floor Lamp
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Vice versa lamp #4105-3 by Carl Auböck in brass.
Category
2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Lighting
Materials
Brass, Aluminum
Pair of Carl Auböck #3741 Table Lamp "Horseshoe", Austria
By Carl Auböck, Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Carl Auböck #3741 table lamp "Horseshoe", Austria in brass, manila and chintz. The diameter applies to the shade. Available in a white or red shade.
Category
2010s Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Lighting
Materials
Brass
Large Carl Auböck 'Vice Versa' Wall Lamp
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Large Carl Auböck 'Vice Versa' wall lamp. A newly designed variant exclusive to Two Enlighten based on the iconic Vice Versa table and floor lamp series des...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Lighting
Materials
Brass
Carl Auböck #3715 "Scoop" Floor Lamp in White or Red, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #3715 "Scoop" Floor Lamp in patinated brass, manila and chintz. The diameter given applies to the shade, available in white or red.
Category
2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Lighting
Materials
Brass
Carl Auböck #7255-1 Horn Table Lamp, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #7255-1 horn table lamp, Austria made of horn, brass and chintz. Also available in a large version (D50 / H65 cm).
Category
2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Lighting
Materials
Brass
Carl Auböck #4263 Table Lamp "Nun", Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #4263 table lamp "Nun", Austria.
Category
2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Lighting
Materials
Brass
Carl Auböck #4105-2 Vice Versa Table Lamp
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Vice versa lamp #4105-2 by Carl Auböck in brass.
Category
2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck #7247 Vases, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Carl Auböck #7247 vases on pedestal in polished brass and patinated brass. Also available in a smaller size.
Category
2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck #7253 Wall Sconces, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of wall lamps by Carl Auböck, New. Socket: 2x E14. Please note: Lamp should be fitted professionally in accordance to local requirements.
Category
2010s Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Lighting
Materials
Brass
Carl Auböck Vice Versa Table Lamp
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck vice versa table lamp. Designed in 1950, these versatile and Minimalist Viennese lamps are executed in brass with reversible paper shade ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Lighting
Materials
Brass
Large Carl Auböck Model #7256 'Wrap' Patinated Brass Wall Lamp
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Large Carl Auböck Model #7256 'Wrap' patinated brass wall lamp. Designed by Carl Auböck IV and hand fabricated in the original Auböck Werkstätte in the 7th district of Vienna establi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Lighting
Materials
Brass
Limited Edition Carl Auböck Model 4095 Floor Lamp
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Aubo¨ck model 4095 floor lamp. Designed in 1950, this Bauhaus influenced limited edition lamp is comprised of a nickel-plated iron base newly cast from the original design mould...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Lighting
Materials
Iron, Nickel
Carl Auböck '4723' Polished Brass Wall Light
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck '4723' polished brass wall light. Executed in polished brass with hard white paper shade. Designed in 1950, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese lamps...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Lighting
Materials
Brass
"Nonne" or "Nun" Floor Lamp by Carl Aubock, Vienna, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Floor lamp with the name "Nonne" or "Nun" by Carl Auböck, a Viennese Original piece.
Minimalist black lacquered Iron Base with a ivory colored, cylinder shaped, paper lamp shade...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Lighting
Materials
Iron
Werkstätte Carl Auböck 'Box' Floor Lamp
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Werkstätte Carl Auböck 'Box' floor lamp. Designed in 1950, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese lamp is executed in blackened steel and sculptural hard...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Lighting
Materials
Steel
Carl Auböck X-Lamp, Midcentury Bamboo and Brass Floor Lamp, 1970s, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Simple and elegant midcentury floor lamp designed by Carl Auböck and manufactured by Werkstätten Carl Auböck in Vienna. The lamp is made of a bamboo stick with a solid brass X-base w...
Category
1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck Lighting
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Vintage Authentic Carl Auboeck Floor Lamp Vienna 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid-Century Modern original vintage floor lamp Reversible Vice Versa from cast iron designed by Carl Auboeck, Vienna, 1951-1952 and executed by Werkstätte...
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck Lighting
Materials
Iron
Carl Auböck Vice Versa Floor Lamp
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Floor lamp by Carl Auböck, c.1950s, Austria. This lamp features a reversible cone shade, coining the name 'vice versa'. The shade sits atop a brass frame with wicker detailing at the...
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Werkstätte Carl Auböck lighting for sale on 1stDibs.
Werkstätte Carl Auböck lighting 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 lighting, although red editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 5 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 24 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original lighting by Werkstätte Carl Auböck were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 21st century and contemporary. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider lighting by and Hans Harald Rath. Prices for Werkstätte Carl Auböck lighting can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,732 and can go as high as $13,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,710.
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