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.
Life Size Carl Auböck Model #4273-3 ‘XL Foot’ Sculpture in Polished Brass
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Life Size Carl Auböck Model #4273-3 ‘XL Foot’ sculpture in Polished Brass. Designed in the 1950s, this impressively scaled variant is hand fabricated in polished unlacquered brass ...
Brass
Carl Auböck II. Rattan Iron Side Nesting Tables, Austria 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Wien, AT
Set of 2 Rattan Side Tables designed by Carl Auböck, manufactured by his workshop in Vienna. The tables feature a black lacquered tubular iron frame, and an handwoven rattan top. G...
Iron
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #1928 'Hands' Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #1928 'Hands' Brass Bookends Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. ...
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 Letter Opener, Horn, Mid-Century Modern, Austria, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck letter opener in horn, Austria 1960s.
Horn
20th Century Carl Auböck Chess Game Mod. No. 5391, Horn & Brass, AT ca. 1970
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
An absolute masterpiece of modernist design is this rare, late 20th century chess game, produced by world renowed Carl Auböck around 1970 in Vienna - Austria. This exceptional chess ...
Brass, Nickel
Carl Auböck #5039 'Jingle Bell' Brass and Leather Paperweight
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck #5039 'Jingle Bell' Brass and Leather Paperweight. Originally designed by Carl Auböck III in the early 1960s, this handmade piece was inspire...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #3792 Patinated Brass Vase or Bookend
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #3792 Patinated Brass Vase or Bookend Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined, sculptural, and multi-purpose Viennese piece is executed in polished and dark...
Brass
$760 / item
Carl Auböck Model #7235 Brass Vase
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck model #7235 brass vase. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese vase is executed in polished and darkly ...
Brass
Wall Coat Rack by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Beech Wood & Brass, Austria 1955
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Wien, AT
Wall coat rack designed by Carl Auböck, manufactured by his workshop in Vienna. Beech wood with 6 pieces of solid brass hooks or alternatively with 6 blackened brass hooks . Good v...
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Bookends #4100 in a Patina and Polish Brass Mix
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Classic pair of Carl Auböck bookends in a patina and polish brass mix.
Brass
Carl Auböck Patinated #4982-2 Wall Hooks, Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Patinated #4982-2 Wall Hooks, Austria 2022.
Brass
$440 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4056 Nickel-Plated Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4056 Nickel-Plated Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and minimalist Viennese candleholder is executed in nickel-plated brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, A...
Brass, Nickel
Large glass decanter element with leather Handle by Carl Auböck, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: decanter element Design: Carl Auböck, 1950s Producer: Auböck Workshop Vienna, Austria Origin: Austria Age: 1950s Description: Original 1950s decanter ele...
Leather, Glass
Carl Auböck #5556-1 Ashtray "Turn On", Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #5556-1 ashtray "Turn On", Austria 2022.
Aluminum
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
$1,078 / item
Carl Auböck #3691-2 Bell "Bundestag", Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #3691-2 bell "Bundestag", Austria 2022.
Brass
Carl Auböck #3740-1 Floor Lamp, Patinated Brass, Mid-Century Modern
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.
Brass
Rare Mid-Century Modern Cane-Wrapped Walnut Brass Cigarette Box Carl Auböck II
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A superb example of Mid-Century Austrian design, this iconic Cigarette Box (Model #3656) was designed by Carl Auböck II in the 1950s and handcrafted at the renowned Werkstätte Auböck...
Brass
Bottle Holder with Leather Sleeve by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
This bottle holder by Werkstätten Carl Auböck combines a bent brass frame with a cylindrical leather sleeve, turning a practical carrying device into a compact sculptural form. The t...
Brass
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
Carl Auböck Paperweight #4751-1 Paperclip, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Huge #4751-1 paperweight in the shape of a paperclip, Austria. New.
Brass
Carl Auböck Pair of #1928 Bookends "Hands", Austria, 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck pair of #1928 bookends "Hands", Austria 2022.
Brass
Austrian Midcentury Steel and Leather Fish Bottle Opener Neptun by Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Bestecke Solingen
Located in Vienna, AT
This charming fish shaped stainless steel and brown leather bottle opener has been designed by Carl Auböck in the 1960s Modell Nr. 4687, Neptun. It comes with its original cardboard box. This one has been produced in Germany as a special company gift. On the leather you will find impressed Zinkweiss and the steel is marked Solingen Germany...
Stainless Steel
Carl Auböck #5556-2 Ashtray "Tune In", Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #5556-2 ashtray "Tune In", Austria 2022.
Aluminum
Carl Auböck #3853 Vase "Double Noose", Austria, 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #3853 vase "Double Noose", Austria, 2022.
Brass, Wire
Carl Auböck Pair of #4843 Bookends "Tower", Austria, 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck pair of #4843 bookends "Tower", Austria, 2022.
Brass
Carl Auböck Pair of #3848 Bookends "Earlobes", Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck pair of #3848 bookends "Earlobes", Austria 2022.
Brass
Carl Auböck II. Pair Rattan Side Tables, Austria 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Wien, AT
Set of 2 Square Wicker Side Tables designed by Carl Auböck, manufactured by his workshop in Vienna. The tables feature a black lacquered tubular iron frame, and an handwoven wicker t...
Iron
Carl Auböck Pair of #4630 Bookends "Hook", Austria, 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck pair of #4630 bookends "Hook", Austria 2022.
Brass
Carl Auböck #7228 Patinated Brass Vase with Ring, Austria, 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #7228 Vase with Ring, Austria, 2022.
Brass
Set of Five #4903 Brass Wall Hooks, Mid-Century Modern, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of five #4903 wall hooks by Carl Auböck. (Other quantity also available.)
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4982 Polished Brass Wall Hooks, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Carl Auböck Model #4982 – Polished Brass Wall Hook, Austria, 1950s Original vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck design – hand-finished in Vienna A refined and collectible brass wall hook...
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
Carl Auöck II. Tree Trunk Coffee Table, Austria 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Wien, AT
Iconic Tree Trunk Table designed by Carl Auböck II, manufactured by his workshop in Vienna. The tabletop is made of solid walnut wood on three brass legs with black rubber caps. The ...
Brass
very rare double box by carl auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Munich, DE
another very rare piece from the auböck workshop.
Metal
1 of 8 Hanger by Carl Auböck for Illums Bolighus, Denmark, 1950's
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Illums Bolighus
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eight hangers designed by Austrian architect and designer Carl Auböck in 1950's and produced by Illums Bolighus in Denmark. Solid teak wood and brass. Individual price, eight hanger...
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
wondeful carl auböck peau porc box
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Munich, DE
wondeful wooden carl auböck box covered with peau porc.
Metal, Nickel
Carl Auböck Five Midcentury Patinated Brass Wall Coat Hooks, 1950s, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Five beautiful Austrian Mid-Century Modern solid brass hooks by Carl Auböck II from 1950s. They are made of polished and patinated solid brass. The same hooks were sold at an auctio...
Brass
Magazine Stand in Patinated Leather and Brass by Illums Bolighus, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Lejre, DK
Magazine stand in brass and leather designed and made by Illums Bolighus in the 1950s. Great condition.
Brass
$636Sale Price / item|20% Off
Carl Auböck Model #3794 'Aorta' Brass Vase
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubo¨ck Model #3794 'Aorta' Brass Vase. This exceptionally crafted vase by Carl Aubock is a wonderful example of the marriage of form and functionality that has made the Aubock ...
Brass
Mid-Century Carl Auböck Bottle Stopper Leather and Brass
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
For sale is a unique piece of Mid-Century Modern design. The bottle stopper was carefully hand crafted out of leather. It has a brass eyelet connecting the round base of the cork to ...
Brass
Carl Auböck II. Rattan Pair Nesting Side Tables, Austria 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Wien, AT
Set of 2 Rattan Side Tables designed by Carl Auböck, manufactured by his workshop in Vienna. The tables feature a black lacquered tubular iron frame, and an handwoven wicker top. G...
Iron
jug 1621 by kaj franck and glass coasters no. 3804 by carl auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Munich, DE
very rare no. 6121 jug by kay franck for nuutajärvi and 6 very rare glass coaster with stand from the carl auböck workshop.
Brass
Carl Aubock Polished Brass "Hand" Keychain #5733 (medium)
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock Polished Brass "Hand" Keychain #5733 (medium). Produced by Carl Auböck IV in the original Auböck workshop in Vienna, Austria using the same standards, high-quality materi...
Brass
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
Mid Century Modern Carl Auböck Salt and Pepper Shakers Tableware Vienna 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
This presented salt and pepper shakers in a wooden cup shows a great design by Carl Auböck, Vienna 1950s. Two shakers made of horn, which are a pleasure to ...
Teak, Horn
Carl Auböck II. Large Rattan Coffee Table
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Wien, AT
Carl Auböck II. Large Rattan Coffee Table Large Wicker Coffee or Side Table designed by Carl Auböck, manufactured by his workshop in Vienna. The table features a black lacquered tub...
Iron
Carl Aubock Mid-Century Modern Beech Coat Rack Six Brass Hooks Vienna, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid-Century Modern vintage original Carl Auböck coat rack or wardrobe from beech with six brass hooks Vienna 1950s While the wall mounted wardrobe...
Brass
Carl Auböck The Most Elegant Brush
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in London, GB
Large brush made in solid Walnut , natural bristles and original cognac leather strap.
Leather, Walnut
$4,475Sale Price / set|20% Off
rare set of two carl auböck vice versa " umkehrlampe"
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Munich, DE
rare set of 2 carl auböck umkehr vice versa floor lamps. professional redone shades and new wire.
Metal, Iron
Carl Auböck Vintage Beech Brass Coat Rack or Coat Stand, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern authentic Carl Auböck vintage beech brass coat rack or wall mounted wardrobe Austria 1950s. This wonderful coat rack made from s...
Brass
Large Carl Auböck Model #7247-6 Patinated Brass Vase
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large Carl Auböck Model #7247-6 Patinated Brass Vase Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese vase is executed in polished and darkly patinated brass b...
Brass
Mid-Century Bronze Nutcracker by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Mid-Century Carl Auböck Bronze Nutcracker - 1950s Vintage - Decoration - Home Decor Measures : ~ 13cm x 7,5cm H: ~3,5cm Carl Auböck was an Austria...
Bronze
Carl Auböck Silvered Brass Bottle Opener, Habsburg 2 Florin Coin, Austria 1950
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful bottle opener made of solid silver-plated brass, designed and executed by Carl Auböck II in the 1950s. The facsimile 2 Florin coin, dated 1881, features a portrait of Emp...
Brass, Silver
Carl Auböck Model #7259 'Spiral' Brass Pen Holder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #7259 'Spiral' Brass Pen Holder Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pen or pencil holder is executed in p...
Brass
Authentic Vintage Carl Auböck III "Zumbusch" Hand Paperweight
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A rare and iconic mid-century modern sculptural object designed by the renowned Austrian modernist Carl Auböck III (1924-1993) for the Werkstätte Carl Auböck in Vienna. Designed circ...
Brass
Very Rare Magazine Rack by Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Munich, DE
Manufactured by Werkstätten Auböck. brass and leather.
Brass
Carl Auböck Brass Hand Letter Opener Letter Knife #7208
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A minimalist but charming letter opener in the shape of a hand. Model number 7208, handmade of solid polished brass, designed by Werkstätte Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Fully stamped an...
Brass