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.
$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
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3530 'Flatiron' Patinated Brass and Cane Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3530 'Flatiron' Patinated Brass and Cane Bookends Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #4206A Patinated Brass Bowl
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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
A Pair Of Original Carl Auböck Brass Candlesticks Ca' 1950's
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An unusual pair of brass candlesticks by Carl Aubock, Austria, ca' 1950's. Model 3600. A great modernist design that has been reissued-these are the original production.
Brass
Carl Auböck Dust Brush, Wood, Mid-Century Modern, Austria, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Dust Brush, Austria 1960s.
Wood
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #1937 'Bamboo' Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #1937 'Bamboo' bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed hand cut and polished bamboo and bras...
Brass
$360 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4329 Patinated Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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
$620 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4317 Long Brass Dish
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4317 Long Brass Dish Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl is executed in polished and darkly patinated brass. Originally conceived as a fountain pen...
Brass
$290 / item
Carl Auböck Model #5262 Polished Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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
Pair of Large Carl Auböck Model #4101 'Melies' Patinated Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of large Carl Aubock Model #4101 'Melies' patinated brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated an...
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
$760 / item
Carl Auböck Model #7240 Brass Vase
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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
Horn Bowl by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Mid-Century Modern, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Horn Bowl, Austria 1960s.
Horn
Pair of Carl Auböck #7234 Brass Candleholders
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck brass #7234 candleholders. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese candleholder is executed in polished and patinated brass by Werkstätte ...
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
$2,589Sale Price|20% Off
Large Teak Bowl with Brass and Leather Handle 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
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
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3469 Polished Brass Candleholders
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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
1950s Carl Auböck Chain Paperweight Austria Vintage Midcentury Desk Sculpture
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Sought after early chain paperweight, gold plated steel by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria, circa 1950s. Heavily worn, showing a wonderful patina and...
Steel
$400 / item
Carl Auböck Model #5261 Patinated Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #5261 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 Carl Auböck Decorative Brass Dish in the Shape of a Leaf
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
For sale is a beautiful decorative dish in the shape of a leaf. It was hand-crafted from brass and designed by the renowned workshops of Carl Auböck in Austria. It is a perfect examp...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #4482 Patinated Brass Square Dish
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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
$430 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4206C Polished Brass Bowl
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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
$700 / item
Carl Auböck Model #3974 Brass Vase, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #3974 Brass Vase, Austria Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese vase is executed in darkly patinated and polished brass by Werkstä...
Brass
$370 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4056 Polished Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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
Brass bowl with central medallion by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Bowl, Austria 1960s.
Brass
Vintage Auböck String Bottle Holder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Heavy and solid sculptural looping wire bottle holder by Carl Aubock II. In excellent shape, surface shows fine patina, according to age. The rattan grip wrapping still fully intact....
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3846 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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
$510 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4965 Hook in Nickel
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4965 Hook in Nickel Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in softly brushed nickel by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria. P...
Nickel
$460 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4609 Patinated Brass Bowl
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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
Small Carl Auböck Model #7247-2 Patinated Brass Vase
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3654 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3654 Brass Bookends Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Each piec...
Brass
Pair of Large Carl Auböck Model #4219 'Hands' Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Large Carl Auböck Model #4219 'Hands' Brass Bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in polished brass. Hand fu...
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
$1,590 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4118 Polished Brass Watering Can
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck 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 Carl A...
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck #3469 Patinated Brass Candleholders
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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
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 #4162-2 Candlestick "Cobra", Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #4162-2 candlestick "Cobra", Austria 2022.
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
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
$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
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
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 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 Aubock Polished Brass Hand Bottle Opener #4224
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock polished brass hand bottle opener #4224. This whimsical 1950's hand bottle opener by Carl Aubock is a wonderful example of the marriage ...
Brass
Carl Auböck #7127 Letter Opener "Flat", Austria, 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #7127 letter opener "Flat", Austria 2022.
Brass
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
very rare double box by carl auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Munich, DE
another very rare piece from the auböck workshop.
Metal
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
Mid-Century Modern Austrian Leather "Hausbuch" (Guest Book/Ledger) Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
An exceptional "Hausbuch" (House Ledger or Guest Book) designed by Carl Auböck II and produced in the renowned Auböck workshop in Vienna, Austria. This piece, model number 5116, is a...
Brass
Cigarette Box by Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
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...
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
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
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
$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
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
$588Sale Price|40% Off
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
rare carl auböck jalousie box
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Munich, DE
rare carl auböck jalousie box. made for cigarettes, but can be used for anything.... very nice mid-century item.
Metal
$420 / item
Nutcracker Style 1 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