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Werkstätte Carl Auböck Furniture

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 Model #4118 Polished Brass Watering Can
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Aubo¨ck Model #4118 polished brass watering can. Designed in the 1940s, this incredibly clean and refined Viennese watering can is executed in polished brass by Werkstätte Car...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

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

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

Materials

Stainless Steel

Carl Auböck Nutcracker in Brass for Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Esbjerg, DK
This is not a midcentury torture devise or thumb-screw. But it is indeed a beautifully crafted midcentury nutcracker of the finest quality solid brass. This is the larger version des...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Cutting Board, Austria 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Cutting Board, Austria 1960s
Category

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

Materials

Leather, Wood

Large Walnut Tree Trunk Table, Carl Auböck 1940s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in London, GB
A large tree trunk table designed and made by the Auböck werkstätte, circa 1950. This table is made from reclaimed wood. Carl Auböck II, responsible for the design of this series, g...
Category

1940s Austrian Brutalist Vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck Furniture

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Model #4086 Hook in Polished Brass
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4086 hook in polished brass. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is expertly executed in polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, A...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Paperknife #7209
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Brass paperknife #7209 by Carl Auböck.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Coffee Service, Carl Auböck II, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in London, GB
A three-piece brass coffee service with cane-wrapped handles, designed by Carl Auböck II during the 1950s. The contrast of cane wrapped handles with smooth brass is typical of the ...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Grouping of Six Carl Auböck Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Grouping of six Carl Auböck brass bookends. Includes one pair each of models #4635, #4636 and #4637. Designed in the 1950s, these incredibly...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Grouping of Four Carl Auböck Brass Vases
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Grouping of four Carl Auböck brass vases. Includes models #7231 (W 3.1 in. x D 2.2 in. x H 6.4 in.), #3794 (W 3.25 in. x D 2 in. x H 6.75 in.), ...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Pair of #4636 Bookends "Drop", Austria, 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck pair of #4636 bookends, Austria, 2022.
Category

2010s Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Furniture

Materials

Brass

very rare bookshelf by carl auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Munich, DE
pure, rare and elegant bookshelf by carl auböck.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Bowl, Austria 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Bowl, Austria 1960s.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Model #4082 Brass Bowl
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #4082 brass bowl. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl is executed in polished and darkly patinated brass. Originally conceiv...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck #4994-1 Wall Hook, Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #4994-1 Wall Hook, Austria 2022.  
Category

2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Furniture

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Cutting Board, Austria 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Cutting Board, Austria 1960s
Category

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

Materials

Wood

1950s Waste Basket in black leather by Carl Auböck, Austria, crafts
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Hägersten, SE
Paper basket designed by Carl Auböck for Illums Bolighus during the 1950s. Made from hand sewn, thick double cow hide leather in black with beautiful patina. With solid brass loop de...
Category

1950s Austrian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck Furniture

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck #3511 Walnut Side Table, Austria, 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Side Table in Walnut by Carl Auböck, New.
Category

2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Carl Auböck Model #7247 Brass Vase
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #7247 brass vase. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese vase is executed in darkly patinated and polished brass by Werkstätte Carl ...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Model #3854 'Atom 1' Brass Vase
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #3854 'Atom 1' brass vase. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese vase is executed in darkly patinated brass by Werkstätte Carl Aubö...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Model #4366 'Bird' Brass Sculpture
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #4366 'Bird' brass sculpture. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural figure is executed in polished and patinated brass. Price is per item. ...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Horn Salad Servers, Austria 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck salad servers made of Horn, Austria 1960s.
Category

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

Materials

Horn

Carl Auböck Pair of #4637 Bookends "Cello", Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck pair of #4637 bookends "Cello", Austria 2022.
Category

2010s Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Furniture

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Model #7259 'Spiral' Brass Pen Holder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, 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 ...
Category

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

Materials

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.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Pair of #4219 Bookends "Jazz Hands", Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck pair of #4219 bookends "Jazz Hands", Austria 2022.
Category

2010s Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Furniture

Materials

Brass

Set of Four Carl Auböck Brass Objects
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Set of four Carl Auböck brass objects. Includes Carl Auböck model #4072/G 'Rooster' brass bell, model #3600 'Crown' brass bowl, model #3514 brass bowl and model #4224 'Hand' brass b...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Austrian Midcentury Brass and Leather Cloth Hangers by Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
This rare brass and cognac brown leather cloth hangers have been designed and manufactured by Carl Auböck in the 1950s in Vienna Austria, Mod. no. 3664. one of them marked Auböck. A...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Humidor, Austria 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Humidor, Austria 1960s.
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Aluminum

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 Furniture

Materials

Brass, Steel

Carl Auböck Bowl, Austria 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Bowl, Austria 1960s.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Paperweight Set as Used by Walter Gropius
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
A Classic set of four beautiful pressed papiers designed by Carl Auböck and produced by the Carl Auböck Werkstätte. The set consists of a stone in leather, an egg, foot and hand. Sam...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Furniture

Materials

Stone, Brass

Carl Aubock Tableware Service Tray and Skillet for Two with Amboss 2060
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Amboss Austria
Located in Chicago, IL
Carl Aubock Tableware Service Tray and Skillet for Two with Amboss 2060 Flatware. Each set has a stainless steel skillet, wooden handle, wood block tray, A...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck Furniture

Materials

Stainless Steel

Carl Auböck #4061 Sculpture "Architect", Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #4061 Sculpture "Architect", Austria.
Category

2010s Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Furniture

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Nutcracker in Brass and Leather, Austria, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck nutcracker in brass and leather, Austria 1960s.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

XXL Key corksrew made from heavy brass by Aubock original from 1950s signed
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
CARL AUBÖCK - Corkscrew "Key" made around 1950 Beautiful large, old key, with hidden steel screw In good original condition with normal signs of wear. It is the biggest size ever ma...
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Steel

Carl Auböck #4610 Ashtray, Austria, 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #4610 ashtray, Austria 2022.
Category

2010s Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Furniture

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Pair of #3651 Bookends, Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Pair of #3651 Bookends, Austria 2022.
Category

2010s Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Furniture

Materials

Brass

Carl Aubock, rare magnifying glass and desk weight. Vienna, 1960s.
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in London, GB
Rare magnifying glass and desk weight in the shape of a nut. Vienna, 1960s Dia: 10cm wide. Excellent condition in a vintage gift box.
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Werkstätte Carl Auböck Furniture

Materials

Metal

Carl Auböck Pitcher, Austria, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck pitcher, Austria 1960s. The width of the item including the handle is 18 cm.
Category

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

Materials

Leather, Glass

Carl Auböck #4224 Bottle Opener "Hand", Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #4224 Bottle Opener "Hand", Austria 2022. Please get in touch with us regarding the exact measurements of the item.
Category

2010s Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Furniture

Materials

Brass

Watering Can in Brass and Copper by Carl Auböck, 1950's
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Watering Can in Brass and Copper by Carl Auböck, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Brass and copper Style: Mid century, Scandinavia Produced in Denmark by Illums Bolighus Dim...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Bookends #4636
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Classis pair of Carl Auböck bookend in a patina and polish brass mix.  
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Nutcracker in Brass, Austria 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Nutcracker in Brass, Austria 1960s.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Folding knife or letter opener, model number: 3962, Carl Auböck, Vienna 1960
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
This Folding knife or letter opener made from brass with horn handle; marked on the blade: Auböck Made Vienna/Austria; signs of age and use, slightly scratched, the handle is made fr...
Category

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

Materials

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.
Category

2010s Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Furniture

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck #3544 Pen or Brush Rest in Brass and Brown Leather, Austria, 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #3544 pen or brush rest in brass and brown leather, Austria 2022.
Category

2010s Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Furniture

Materials

Brass

Rare Model 3608 Brass & Leather Magazine Stand by Carl Aubock, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Utrecht, NL
Solid brass and dark brown saddle leather magazine holder by Carl Aubock, Vienna from early 1960. Rare model 3608 magazine stand in solid brass & leather hand crafted at the renown ...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Austrian Midcentury Horn Matchbox Holder by Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Minimalistic and pure shaped desk accessories, iconic for its Designer Carl Auböck and in excellent condition.
Category

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

Materials

Horn

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.
Category

2010s Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Furniture

Materials

Brass

Set of Five #4086 Wall Hooks by Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of five #4086 wall hooks by Carl Auböck. (Other quantity also available.)
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Horn Brush, Austria 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck brush made of horn and horse hair, Austria 1960s.
Category

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

Materials

Horn

Carl Auböck Brass and Leather Magazine Rack
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Illums Bolighus
Located in Chicago, IL
Carl Auböck brass and leather magazine rack, patined cognac leather and brass, model 3808 Note; strong patina and wear with several tears on edges and underside, consistent with age...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Pair of #4100 Bookends "Masks", Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck pair of #4100 bookends "Masks", Austria 2022.
Category

2010s Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck Furniture

Materials

Brass

Cigarette Box by Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Brass and wooden cigarette box, designed by Carl Auböck, shows a beautiful guilloche top surface. The brass shows fine patina, enriched by the contrast of the wooden sides of the box...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Green Vintage Dining Chairs by Carl Auböck 1956 Vienna
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern set of 2 green vintage dining chairs was designed by Carl Auböck 1956 Vienna and executed by E & A Pollak Vienna. The dining chairs were made of solid beechwood an...
Category

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

Materials

Plywood, Beech

Carl Auböck #4118 Watering Can in Polished Brass, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Watering can #4118 by Carl Auböck in polished brass.  
Category

2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Werkstätte Carl Auböck Furniture

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck #3794 Aorta Vase
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Aorta vase #3794 by Carl Auböck in patinated brass.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Werkstätte Carl Auböck furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Werkstätte Carl Auböck furniture 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 furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 599 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 369 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture 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 furniture by Walter Bosse, Karl Hagenauer, and Franz Hagenauer. Prices for Werkstätte Carl Auböck furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $145 and can go as high as $27,073, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $823.

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