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.
Carl Auböck Model #3431 'Knopferl' Brass Tray
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #3431 'Knopferl' Brass Tray Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese tray is executed in patinated and p...
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
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4099 Patinated Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4099 Patinated Brass Bookends Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass....
Brass
Large Carl Auböck Model #5072 'Chain' Polished Brass Paperweight
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Aubo¨ck Model #5072 'Chain' polished brass paperweight. Executed in brass-plated cast iron and designed in the 1950s, this incredibly clean and refined Viennese paperweight is...
Brass, Iron
Carl Auböck Model #4233-4 Brass and Leather Paper Knife
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4233-4 Brass and Leather Paper Knife Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural knife is executed in polished brass and handwoven brown leather...
Brass
Pair Carl Auböck Mid-Century Earlobes Brass Bookends #3848, Vienna, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A pair of minimalist sculptural bookends in an organic form, lovingly referred to by Auböck as “earlobes.” Model number 3848. Handcrafted from solid brass with a patinated and polish...
Brass
Pair Carl Auböck Minimalist Mid-Century Brass Bookends #3653, Vienna, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A pair of minimalist sculptural bookends in an organic form. Model No. 3653, affectionately referred to by the Auböck family as “Praying Hands,” handmade from solid brass with a pati...
Brass
$370 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4982 Polished Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck model #4982 polished brass hook. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and minimalist Viennese hook is executed in polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria. ...
Brass
$780 / item
Carl Auböck Model #7228 Patinated Brass Vase
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #7228 Patinated Brass Vase Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese vase is executed in darkly patinated and polished brass by Werkst...
Brass
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
Mid-Century Modern Brass & Horn Lighter by Werkstätte Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Lighter, Austria 1960s.
Brass
$240 / item
Carl Auböck Model #5732 'Hand' Brass Keyring
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #5732 'Hand' Brass Keyring Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural object is hand fabricated in polished brass. Price is per item. Availabl...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #5607 'Elephant' Brass Figurine Keyring
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck model #5607 'Elephant' brass figurine keyring. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural object is hand fabricated in polished brass. Price is per...
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4100 Patinated Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4100 patinated brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated brass. Each piece...
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3530 'Flatiron' Brass and Cane Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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
$800 / item
Carl Auböck Model #3794 'Aorta' Brass Vase
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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
Coin Tray by Auböck around 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Wien, Au
Coin Tray by Auböck around 1950s Original condition
Brass
Carl Auböck Paperweight #4223 'Hand', Cast Brass, Polished, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck paperweight #4223 "Hand", Austria.
Brass
Carl Auböck Paperweight #5371 or 5788 "Heart", Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck paperweight #5371 or 5788 "Heart", Austria. Price is per piece. Available in different sizes.
Brass
Original Carl Aubock Large Mid-Century Walnut Tree Trunk Coffee Table, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A organic and sculptural original vintage tree trunk sofa table from the 1950s, designed and executed by Carl Auböck. This impressive and unusual modernist table is made of a walnut wood slab with a polished tabletop, which shows lovely grain. Its has a black-finished bottom and stands on three naturally patinated brass legs and black rubber shoes. In original unrestored but very good condition. Please notice, that one of the brass leg shows...
Brass
Carl Auböck #4666 Bottle Opener "Lock", Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #4666 bottle opener "Lock", Austria 2022.
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 Aubock Table Magnifier 1950 Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Carl Aubock table magnifier, mid-20th century. Crafted from solid brass with high-quality optical glass, this elegant piece exemplifies Aubock’s meticulous craftsmanship and function...
Brass
Watering Can in Brass and Copper by Carl Auböck for Illums Bolighus, 1950s.
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Illums Bolighus
Located in Asaa, DK
Watering Can in Brass and Copper by Carl Auböck for Illums Bolighus, 1950s. Wonderful Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern watering can in copper and brass. Designed by Carl Auböck and m...
Brass, Copper
Carl Auböck '4723' Patinated Brass Plug-In Wall Light With White Shade
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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
Vintage Brass Aubock Auboeck Bottle Opener Mid-Century Modern Breweriana Barware
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1960s mid century modern bottle opener. Made by Carl Auböck, Vienna, Austria. Nice addition to your room or just for use at your bar or bar cart. Found at an estate sal...
Brass
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 Auböck Modern Key Large Brass Cork Screw, Bottle Opener, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
This beautiful and oversized, vintage Mid-Century brass key combines a corkscrew for opening wine bottles and a bottle opener for crown caps. This piece was designed and handcrafted ...
Metal, Brass
Carl Auböck Model #5371 'Heart' Polished Nickel Paperweight
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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
$360Sale Price / item|20% Off
Carl Aubock Two Large Brass Double Wall Coat Hooks #4056, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Up to two large charming Minimalist wall coat hooks, model #4056, designed and executed in the 1950s by Carl Aubock workshop, Vienna/Austria. These are authentic, vintage wall hooks,...
Brass
$5,180 / set
Pair of Carl Auböck Vice Versa Floor Lamps
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Vice Versa Floor Lamps These iconic and Minimalist Viennese floor lamps are executed in brass, wicker and cast aluminum designed by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austr...
Brass, Iron
Rare No.A-436 bowl by Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Munich, DE
flawless carl auböck wood bowl.
Brass
Carl Aubock Enameled Pot with Lid by Riess, Orange, White, Green, Austria, 1970s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful enameled pot with lid, designed by Carl Aubock Vienna. Executed by Riess, Austria, 1970s. Diameter without handle 6 in Orange, white and green, white interior. Excellent condition, very marginal signs of age. We are offering other matching Carl Aubock pans...
Metal, Enamel
Carl Aubock for Amboss 35 Piece Flatware Set Mid Century Modern
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Atlanta, GA
Modernist stainless steel flatware set, designed by Carl Aubock for Amboss, Austria, circa 1960s. This is a 5 piece set for 7 guests, 35 pieces total. The largest piece measures 8.25...
Stainless Steel
$1,280Sale Price|20% Off
Carl Auböck II Drinking Glass Carrying Rack, Leather & Brass, Austria 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A minimalistic and beautiful midcentury modern long tray drinks carrier / drinking glass caddy with 6 clear glasses from the 1950s. Designed and executed by Carl Aubock II in Vienna....
Brass
$3,170 / item
Carl Auböck Model #3642 Brass and Leather Table
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #3642 Brass and Leather Table Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural table is executed in beautifully grained oak, polished brass and hand u...
Brass
Carl Auböck Brass Industrial Style Chess Set
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Toledo, OH
Industrial style brass chess set by Carl Auböck circa 1965, Model 5055 in polished brass and patinated brass. Tallest piece is 4 1/" tall, shortest is 1 5/8" tall.
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Patinated Brass Candle Holders
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Utrecht, NL
Pair of patinated candle holders designed by Carl Aubock in 1948. This signature piece from the Auböck collection is hand made manufactured in Vienna Austria workshop ever since 1948...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Chess Set by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
A chessboard made from black and natural leather with 32 nickel pieces. Designed in the 1950s by Carl Auböck. Made in Vienna.
Nickel
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
Original Auböck Egg Cup Made from Nutwood and Brass
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
For sale is a unique piece of Art Deco design. The egg cup consists of beautiful warm nutwood and nickel-plated brass. They were hand crafted in the renowned Austrian workshops of Ba...
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 Coat Rack Wardrobe, Wood Patinated Blackened Brass Hooks, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A coat check by Carl Auböck, Vienna, Austria, manufactured in midcentury, circa 1950. It consists of a refurbished wooden frame and six polished brass hooks with lovely patina. Five ...
Brass
$472Sale Price|20% Off
Carl Aubock Mid-Century Horn Desk Pen & Pencil Holder Cup, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A decorative handmade desk pen and pencil cup holder from the 1950s. Designed and manufactured by Werkstätte Carl Aubock, workshop in Vienna / Austri...
Horn
Large Carl Aubock Model #7253 'Electric' Patinated Brass Wall Lamp
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large Carl Aubock Model #7253 'Electric' Patinated Brass Wall Lamp. Designed by Carl Auböck IV and hand fabricated in the original Auböck Werkstätte in the 7th district of Vienna e...
Brass
Carl Auböck II French Horn Bottled Opener, 1950
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chicago, IL
Carl Auböck II French Horn Bottled Opener, 1950 model 4567, Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria Impressed manufacturer's mark to underside of French horn 'Made in Austria’ Solid Brass wi...
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
$433 / item
Carl Auböck Model #9040 Patinated Brass Knob
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #9040 Patinated Brass Knob Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese knob is executed in darkly patinated brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Aust...
Brass
$1,880 / item
Carl Auböck Model #3855 'Atom' Brass Desk Clock
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #3855 'Atom' Brass Desk Clock Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese desk clock is executed in polished and darkly patinated brass ...
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
Carl Auböck II Teapot, model 3879 Austria 1950's
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chicago, IL
Carl Auböck II Teapot, model 3879 Austria 1950's Handcrafted in Austria during the 1950s for Werkstätte Carl Auböck. This exquisite piece combines form and function, showcasing a uni...
Copper
Carl Auböck Walnut Board and Cheese Knife
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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...
Steel
Carl Auböck X-Lamp #3740, 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...
Brass
Neptune Fish Bottle Opener, leather & steel by Carl Auböck for Amboss Midcentury
By Amboss Austria, Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Stockholm, SE
A classic Midcentury Modern fish-shaped bottle opener, made of stainless steel with dark-brown tan leather. Model #4687, designed by Carl Auböck for Amboss Austria. In very good c...
Metal
Patinated Brass Aorta Vase by Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Utrecht, NL
Large 'Aorta' vase by Carl Auböck in patinated brass. This aorta-shaped vase has a rough appearance that is accentuated by shiny brass openings. Designed by Carl Auböck II in 1949. ...
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
$1,500Sale Price|40% Off
Carl Auböck Mid-Century Brass and Cast Iron Umbrella Stand, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A straight and beautiful Austrian modernist umbrella stand, handcrafted of brass and a base made of cast iron. Designed and executed by Werkstätte Carl Auböck Vienna, Austria. A sophisticated piece, one of the most beautiful umbrella...
Brass, Iron
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
Pair Carl Auböck Minimalist Mid-Century Brass Bookends #3847, Vienna, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A pair of minimalist sculptural book ends in the organic shape. Model „T“ number 3847, handmade of solid patinated and partly polished brass. Designed by Werkstätte Carl Auböck in th...
Brass