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 Brass Hand Catchall Vide-Poche Accessory Bowl, Vienna, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful Catch-All storage utility bowl, model number 4209, designed by Carl Auböck IV and traditionally handcrafted by the Werkstätte Carl Auböck workshop. It consists of a round...
Brass
Carl Auböck Midcentury Lucky Charm Pig Brass Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist pig keyring / keyholder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Aus...
Brass
Carl Auböck Handcrafted Midcentury Brass Shell Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist shell keyring / key holder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Length including...
Brass
Carl Auböck Midcentury Elephant Handmade Brass Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist elephant keyring / keyholder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte A...
Brass
Carl Auböck Handcrafted Paperweight Jingle Bell #5039, Brass, Leather, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A handmade paperweight in the shape of a sleigh bell, model #5039, originally designed by Carl Aubock III back in the 1960s. A very charming piece, reissued by Werkstätte Auböck...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #7250 Polished Brass 'Swing' Vase
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #7250 Polished Brass 'Swing' Vase. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and modern vase is executed in polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria....
Brass
Rare Mid-Century Modern Leather Waste Bin by Carl Auböck III
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
This exceptional leather wastepaper bin is a quintessential example of the "tactile modernism" that defined the Werkstätte Auböck in Vienna during the mid-20th century. Designed by C...
Leather
Carl Auböck Handcrafted Midcentury U-Shaped Brass Key Ring Chain Holder Knopferl
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist U-shaped keyring / keyholder / keychain "Knopferl", designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #5371 'Heart' Polished Brass Paperweight
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #5371 'Heart' Polished Brass Paperweight Designed in the 1950s, this beautifully refined Viennese paperweight is hand-fabricated in polished brass by Werkstätte Ca...
Brass
Carl Auböck Nickel Plated U-Shaped Brass Key Ring Chain Holder Knopferl
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist U-shaped keyring / keyholder / keychain "Knopferl", model #4617-2, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Identical to the brass key ring...
Brass, Nickel
Carl Auböck Handcrafted Midcentury Peanut Brass Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist peanut keyring / keyholder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully stamped and ...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #5275 'Hand Zumbusch' Brass Sculpture
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #5275 'Zumbusch Hand' Brass Sculpture Designed in the 1950s, as an homage to German sculptor Kaspar von Zumbusch, this incredibly refined and sculptural bejeweled ...
Brass
Carl Auböck Handcrafted Midcentury Brass Anchor Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist Anchor keyring / keyholder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully stamped and ...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #5371 'Heart' Polished Nickel Paperweight
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, 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
Carl Auböck Model #4233-4 Brass and Leather Paper Knife
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, 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
Large Carl Auböck Model #5072 'Chain' Nickel Paperweight
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Large Carl Auböck Model #5072 'Chain' Nickel Paperweight Executed in nickel-plated cast iron and designed in the 1950s, this incredibly clean and refined Viennese paperweight is han...
Iron, Nickel
Carl Auböck Model #4223 'Hand' Brass Paperweight
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4223 'Hand' Brass Paperweight Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly clean and refined Viennese paperweight is hand fabricated in polished brass by Werkstätte Car...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #3431 'Knopferl' Brass Tray
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, 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
$380 / item
Carl Auböck #4995 Patinated Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck #4995 Patinated Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in polished and patinated brass by We...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #3603L Large Brass and Leather Bell
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #3603L Large Brass and Leather Bell Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural bell is executed in polished brass an...
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3653 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #3653 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Each pi...
Brass
$360 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4329 Polished Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4329 Polished Brass Hook. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and minimalist midcentury wall hook is executed in choice of patinated brass, polished brass, or p...
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4635 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4635 Brass Bookends Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Each piec...
Brass
Carl Auböck #4233-2 Brass and Cane Letter Opener, Mid-Century Modern
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #4233-2 Letter Opener, Austria 2022.
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #4330-2 Patinated Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4330-2 Patinated Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in patinated and polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Aubö...
Brass
$300 / item
Carl Auböck Model #5262 Patinated Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #5262 Patinated Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in darkly patinated and polished brass by Werkstätte Carl...
Brass
$430 / item
Carl Auböck Model #3844 Polished Brass Bowl
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #3844 polished brass bowl. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl or catch-all is executed in polished brass. Originally conc...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #4867 2-inch 'Egg' Brass Paperweight
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4867 2-inch 'Egg' Brass Paperweight Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly clean and refined Viennese paperweight is hand fabricated in polished brass by Werkstät...
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3848 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #3848 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in polished brass. Each piece bears the ...
Brass
$682 / item
Carl Auböck Model #3975 Brass Vase
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #3975 brass vase. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese vase is executed in polished and darkly ...
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3847 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3847 Brass Bookends Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in polished and patinated brass. Each piec...
Brass
$2,960 / set
Grouping of Eight Carl Auböck Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Grouping of eight Carl Auböck brass bookends. Includes one pair each of Models #3651, #3652, #3653 & #3654. Designed in the 1950s, these i...
Brass
$240 / item
Carl Auböck #4330/1 Polished Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck #4330/1 Polished Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria. Produc...
Brass
$780 / item
Carl Auböck Model #7228 Patinated Brass Vase
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, 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
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
$800 / item
Carl Auböck Model #3794 'Aorta' Brass Vase
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, 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
$360 / item
Carl Auböck Model #9040 Polished Brass Knob
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #9040 Polished Brass Knob Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese knob is executed in polished brass by Werkstätte...
Brass
$370 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4330 Hook in Nickel
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4330 Hook in Nickel Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in softly brushed nickel by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria. ...
Nickel
Small Carl Auböck Model #7247-2 Patinated Brass Vase
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Small Carl Auböck model #7247-2 patinated brass vase. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese vase is executed in polished and darkly patinated brass...
Brass
$440 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4056 Nickel-Plated Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, 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
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 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
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
Carl Aubock II Walnut Knife Holder with 6 Amboss Knives, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Lovely set of six beautiful midcentury fruit knives and a holder / stand, made of walnut and cork. Designed by Carl Aubock II and manufactured by Carl Auböck workshop in midcentury, ...
Stainless Steel
$330 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4828 Cane and Steel Knife
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4828 cane and steel knife. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural knife is executed in polished steel and handwoven cane. Price is per it...
Steel
Iconic Carl Auböck Handcrafted Eye Bottle Stopper #4538, Cork & Brass, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
An attention-grabbing bottle stopper „Eye", model #4538, designed by Carl Aubock II back in the early 1950s. A charming object, handcrafted by Werkstätte Auböck in Vienna / Austria. ...
Brass
$1,880 / item
Carl Auböck Model #3855 'Atom' Brass Desk Clock
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #3385 'Atom' Brass Wall Clock Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese desk clock is executed in polished and darkly patinated brass ...
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4099 Patinated Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, 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
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4100 Patinated Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, 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 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
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4575 Patinated Square Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4575 Patinated Square Brass Bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and geometric pair of bookends are executed in patinated brass with ...
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3651 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #3651 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Each pi...
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 Aubock Horn Letter Opener, Paper Knife, Vienna, Austria, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A decorative and rare minimalist Mid-Century letter opener from the 1960s, designed and handcrafted by the Werkstätte Carl Auböck workshop in Vienna. Handmade from a single piece of ...
Horn
Two Carl Aubock Mid-Century Horn Desk Pen & Pencil Holder Cups, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Up to two decorative handmade desk pen and pencil holders from the 1950s. Large models, designed and manufactured by Werkstätte Carl Aubock, wo...
Horn
$290 / item
Carl Auböck Model #5262 Polished Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #5262 Polished Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria. Pro...
Brass
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
Carl Auböck Midcentury Brass Seahorse Handmade Key Ring Chain Holder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist seahorse keyring / key holder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully stamped a...
Brass
Carl Auböck Handcrafted Midcentury Brass Heart Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist heart keyring / keyholder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck ...
Brass