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 Aubock Patinated Brass "Walking" Figural Sculpture #4058
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock Patinated Brass "Walking" Figural Sculpture #4058 designed in the 1950's. Currently produced by Carl Auböck IV in the original Auböck workshop in Vienna, Austria using th...
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
$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
$350 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4327 Polished Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4327 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, Nickel
Carl Auböck Model #4061 'Architect' Brass Sculpture
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4061 'Architect' Brass Sculpture Designed in the 1950s as an homage to the Auböck family's background in architecture, this incredibly refined and sculptural figu...
Brass
$460 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4965 Patinated Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck #4965 patinated brass hook. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in darkly patinated and polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböc...
Brass
$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
$2,277Sale 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
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
$433 / item
Carl Auböck Model #9040 Patinated Brass Knob
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, 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
$1,208Sale 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 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
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
Carl Aubock Round Leather Storage Box with Lid, Vienna, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful and elegant round lidded storage box, vintage from the 1950s, designed and handcrafted by Werkstätte Carl Auböck in Vienna/Austria. Originally intended as a cigarette dis...
Leather
$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
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
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3530 'Flatiron' Brass and Cane Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3530 Brass and Cane 'Flatiron' Bookends Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in polished or patinat...
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
$510 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4965 Hook in Nickel
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, 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
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
$760 / item
Carl Auböck Model #7235 Brass Vase
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, 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
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
Carl Auböck Model #4483 Patinated Brass Triangle Dish
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4483 Patinated Brass Triangle Dish Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl is executed in polishe...
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
Pair of Large Carl Auböck Model #4219 'Hands' Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, 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
$430 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4329 Polished Nickel Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4329 Polished Nickel Hook. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and minimalist midcentury wall hook is executed in choice of patinated brass, polished brass, or ...
Nickel, Brass
Carl Aubock Patinated Brass "Aorta" Vase #3794 S
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock patinated brass "Aorta" Mid-Century Modern vase #3794 S. Produced by Carl Auböck IV in the original Auböck workshop in Vienna, Austria using the same standards, high-qual...
Brass
Austrian Midcentury Brass Watering Can by Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
This fantastic Large Mod. 4118 brass watering can was designed in the 1940s and manufactured in polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck in Vienna, Austria in the 1950s. Carl Auböck'...
Brass
$1,350 / set
Set of Three Bowls by Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of three bowls by Carl Auböck #4279, #4280 and #4317 Measures: 28 cm x 5 cm x 3 cm 8 cm x 6 cm x 3 cm 4 cm x 7 cm diameter.
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #4629 'Stufenuhr' Brass Wall Clock
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4629 'Stufenuhr' Brass Wall Clock Originally designed in the late 1960s by Carl Auböck III, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese wall clock is executed...
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
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
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
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
$420 / item
Carl Auböck Model #5439 Large Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #5439 Large Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese candleholder is executed in polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria....
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
Carl Auböck #5039 'Jingle Bell' Brass and Leather Paperweight
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, 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
$510 / item
Carl Auböck Model #5439 Hook in Nickel
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #5439 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
Leaf-shaped brass Bowl with dark Patina by Werkstätte Carl Auböck 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Bowl, Austria 1960s.
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
$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
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
$1,880 / set
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 ...
Brass
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
$2,556Sale 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
Large Carl Auböck Model #7247-6 Patinated Brass Vase
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, 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 #3792 Patinated Brass Vase or Bookend
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, 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
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
$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
$420 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4086 Patinated Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4086 Patinated Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in polished and patinated brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck...
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
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
$430 / item
Carl Auböck Model #3904 Brass Bowl
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #3904 Brass Bowl Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl is executed in polished and darkly patinated brass. Originally conceiv...
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
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3652 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #3652 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Each pie...
Brass
$470 / item
Carl Auböck Model #5439 Patinated Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #5439 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
$440 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4982 Hook in Nickel
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #4982 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
$580 / item
Carl Auböck Model #3548 Patinated Brass Bowl
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Aubo¨ck Model #3548 patinated brass bowl. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl is executed in polished and darkly patinated brass. Origi...
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 p...
Brass
$420 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4327 Nickel-Plated Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4327 Nickel-Plated Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and minimalist Viennese hook is executed in nickel-plated brass by Werkst...
Brass, Nickel