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.
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
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3469 Polished Brass Candleholders
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3469 Polished Brass Candleholders. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese candleholder is executed in polished and patinated brass...
Brass
$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
Carl Auböck Up to Three Midcentury Polished Brass Card Holder, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
*Actually up to three pieces available* A beautiful card stand, made of polished brass, designed and executed in the 1950s by Carl Auböck, Austria. To be used for business cards, fol...
Brass
$1,244Sale Price|20% Off
Fine Cherry Wood Art Deco Box Carl Auböck, 1930s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Nice, well preserved Art Deco box made of cherry wood. By Carl Auböck, 1930s. Listed as a scetch drawing in catalog "Die Kataloge der Werkstätte Carl Auböck 1925-1975" [The catalo...
Copper
Carl Auböck Model #4273-1 'Foot' Brass Paperweight
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #4273-1 'Foot' brass paperweight. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly clean and refined Viennese paperweight is hand fabricated in polished brass by Werkstätte C...
Brass
Carl Auböck Handcrafted Wall Sculpture Napoleon #4271, Brass, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful wall sculpture „Napoleon", model #4059, designed by Carl Aubock II back in 1953. A charming object, handcrafted by Werkstätte Auböck in V...
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
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
$430 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4206C Polished Brass Bowl
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #4026A polished brass bowl. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl or catch-all is executed in polished brass. Originally con...
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
Carl Aubock Midcentury Black Cast Iron Bowl or Ashtray, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful modernist metal bowl or ashtray, made of grey or black cast iron from the 1950s. Designed and manufactured by Carl Aubock in Austria. ...
Iron
Large Minimalist Brass Fruit Bowl Shell by Carl Auböck, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: fruit bowl element Design: Carl Auböck, 1950s Producer: Auböck Workshop Vienna, Austria Origin: Austria Age: 1950s Descriptio...
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 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 #3470 Patinated Brass Candleholder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck #3470 Patinated Brass Candleholder Designed in the 1940s, this incredibly clean and refined Viennese candleholder is executed in darkly patinated brass by Werkstätte Car...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #4059 'Optimist/Pessimist' Brass Sculpture
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Aubo¨ck model #4059 'Optimist/Pessimist' brass sculpture. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural figure is executed in polished and patinated brass. Can b...
Brass
Brass bowl with central medallion by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Bowl, Austria 1960s.
Brass
Carl Aubock Vase or Decanter with Wicker Top, Midcentury, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful minimal modernist vase or decanter „Tuberkulinkolben", designed and executed by Carl Aubock II in the 1950s. Made of handblown clear glass with nice wickerwork / rattan o...
Glass
Carl Auböck Model #4995 Polished Brass Wall Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4995 Polished Brass Wall Hook. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austri...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #4482 Patinated Brass Square Dish
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4482 Patinated Brass Square Dish Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl is executed in polished and darkly patinated brass. O...
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
$430 / item
Carl Auböck Model #3844 Patinated Brass Bowl
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #3844 Patinated Brass Bowl Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl is executed in polished and darkly patinated brass. Original...
Brass
Cactus Holder, Vienna, Around 1950s by Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Wien, AT
Cactus holder Vienna around 1950s by Auböck. Original condition.
Brass
Signed Heavy Brass Ashtray by Carl Auböck Vienna Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
The piece on offer is a unique example of mid-century craftsmanship. It was designed and produced by the renowned Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck. Aubock was visibly influenced by the German school of Bauhaus as he did part of his studies there. This influence is also noticeable in the presented item. This archaic heavy ashtray...
Brass
$560 / item
Brass and Cane Letter Opener by Carl Aubock
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
For five generations the design house of Carl Aubock has been turning ordinary objects like paperweights and bookends into extraordinary objects of beauty in an old town house in Vie...
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
$380 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4982 Patinated Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4982 Patinated Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and minimalist Viennese hook is executed in patinated brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria. P...
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
$2,357Sale Price|20% Off
Large brutalist Teak Bowl with Brass Handles by Carl Auböck, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Teak bowl, shell element Design: Carl Auböck, 1950s Producer: Auböck Workshop Vienna, Austria Origin: Austria Age: 1950s Description: Original 1950s bowl...
Brass
Carl Auböck Midcentury Very Large Hand Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist XL Hand keyring / keyholder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully stamped and...
Brass
Crown-Shaped Brass Bowl by Werkstätte Carl Auböck Mid-Century Modern, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Crown-Shaped Brass Bowl Werkstätte Carl Auböck 1960s
Brass
$630 / item
Carl Auböck Model #3548 Polished Brass Bowl
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #3548 polished brass bowl. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl is executed in polished ...
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3846 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #3846 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in polished brass. The Auböck #3846 booke...
Brass
Carl Auböck Handcrafted Midcentury Hand Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist Hand keyring / keyholder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully stamped and ma...
Brass
$370 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4982 Polished Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, 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
Carl Aubock Big Brass Key Cork Screw, Bottle Opener, Paperweight, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A sculptural Midcentury corkscrew and bottle opener combination from the 1950s. In the shape of a large key, designed by Carl Aubock, executed by...
Brass
Carl Auböck Midcentury Brass Star Sea Star Starfish Key Ring Chain Holder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist star keyring / key holder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully stamped and m...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #4206A Patinated Brass Bowl
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #4206C patinated brass bowl. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl or catch-all is executed in patinated brass with a polish...
Brass
Carl Auböck Optimist Pessimist Handcrafted Brass Sculpture, model #4059
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful brass figure called "optimist / pessimist", model #4059, designed by Carl Auböck back in 1957. A very charming object, which can be positioned in two ways, as an optimist or pessimist. Please see the video. Handmade of solid patinated brass by Werkstätte Auböck...
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck #3469 Patinated Brass Candleholders
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck #3469 patinated brass candleholders. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese candleholder is executed in polished and patinated brass by W...
Brass
$760 / item
Carl Auböck Model #7240 Brass Vase
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #7240 Brass Vase Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese vase is executed in darkly patinated and polished brass by Werkstätte Carl ...
Brass
Large Carl Auböck Model #4751 'Paperclip' Brass Paperweight
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Aubo¨ck Model #4751 'Paperclip' brass paperweight. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly clean and refined Viennese paperweight is hand fabricated in polished brass by Werkst...
Brass
$400 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4056 Patinated Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4056 Patinated Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in patinated and polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck...
Brass
Original Midcentury Carl Auböck Comb Made from Horn
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
For sale is a beautiful half-moon shaped comb. The item was hand-crafted from horn and designed by the renowned workshops of Carl Auböck in Austria. It's a remarkable example of the ...
Horn
$740 / item
Carl Auböck Model #7231 Brass Vase
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #7231 brass vase. Designed in the 1950s, this refined and sculptural solid brass Viennese vase is executed in polished and darkly...
Brass
Original Vintage 60‘S Umbrella Stand by Carl Aubock Vienna
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Carl Auböck vintage umbrella stand from brass and cast black lacquered iron Model # 4293 by Carl Auböck for Workshop Carl Auböck with beautiful patina. Stamped Auböck. Authentic piec...
Brass, Iron
$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
Vintage Carl Aubock Set of Three Magnifying Glass Paperweights ca' 1950's
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A set of three hexagonal magnifiers made of solid brass by Carl Aubock, Austria, ca' 1950's. Wear and patina appropriate to age.
Brass
$460 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4609 Patinated Brass Bowl
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4609 Patinated Brass Bowl Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl is executed in polished and darkly patinated brass. Original...
Brass
$675Sale Price|55% Off
Brass Pipe Paperweight by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria, 1955
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in New York, NY
Carl Auböck Pipe Paperweight, Brass, Signed. Small scale meticulously detailed brass pipe paperweight by Viennese designer Carl Auböck.
Brass
Carl Auböck Midcentury Raffia Umbrella Stand, Wastepaper Basket, 1950s, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Very rare simple and elegant midcentury umbrella stand or wastepaper basket designed by Carl Auböck II and manufactured by Werkstätten Auböck in the 1950s, Austria. It's made of raff...
Brass
Large Carl Auböck Model #5072 'Chain' Polished Brass Paperweight
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, 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 #4280 Bowl in Patinated Brass
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #4280 bowl in patinated brass. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl is executed in patinated brass. Originally conceived as a petite bowl...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #4965 Large Polished Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4965 Large Polished Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria...
Brass
$430 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4206A Polished Brass Bowl
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #4026A polished brass bowl. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl or catch-all is executed in polished brass. Originally con...
Brass
$360 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4329 Patinated Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4329 Patinated Brass Hook. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and minimalist midcentury wall hook is executed in choice of patinated brass, polished brass, or ...
Brass
Pen Holder in Horn by Werkstätte Carl Auböck Austria 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Pen holder made from polished natural horn, slightly tapering towards the base and retaining the organic curvature of the original material. The translucent surface shows characteris...
Horn
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4637 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4637 Brass Bookends Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Each piec...
Brass
$370 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4056 Polished Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4056 Polished Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese candleholder is executed in polished brass by Wer...
Brass