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.
$600 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4208 Patinated Brass Bowl
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4208 patinated brass bowl. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl is executed in polished and darkly patinated brass. Origin...
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
Mid-Century Modern Carl Auböck Austria Brass Letter or Initial "C" Paperweight
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in St. Louis, MO
This beautiful hard to come by, Mid-Century Modern brass initial or letter "C" paperweight (Model 4820), created by the master Austrian designer Carl Auböck and made of solid brass (...
Brass
Rare Mid-Century Leather, Oak Wood and Aluminum Cigarette Box by Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
This beautiful vintage box, realized by renowned Austrian designer Carl Auböck, is a rare Mid-Century piece. The combination of the employed materials and techniques - oak wood, anod...
Aluminum
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
$2,960 / set
Grouping of Eight Carl Auböck Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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
$430 / item
Carl Auböck Model #3904 Brass Bowl
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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
Rare giant Bauhaus nutcracker by Carl Aubock Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent authentic nutcracker by Carl Aubock. Made about 1950. Signed and in excellent condition.
Brass
$430 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4206A 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
Mid-Century Modern Wooden Bowl by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Wooden Bowl, Austria 1960s, there is a second one available in another listing.
Brass
20th Century Carl Auböck Nutwood Humidor
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Carl Auböck Humidor, Austria 1950s
Nutwood
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3652 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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
$820 / item
Carl Auböck Model #3853 Brass Vase
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #3853 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 #5072-2 Paperweight "Chain", Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
#5072-2 Paperweight in the shape of a chain by Carl Auböck. Made of nickel plated steel. Austria. New.
Steel, Nickel
Carl Auböck Model #4483 Patinated Brass Triangle Dish
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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
$430 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4329 Polished Nickel Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4636 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #4636 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Each pi...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #8040-2 Polished Brass Knob
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #8040-2 polished brass knob. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese knob is executed in polished brass b...
Brass
Carl Auböck Paperweight #4992-3 Safety Pin, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck paperweight #4992-3 in the shape of a safety pin, Austria.
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #4061 'Architect' Brass Sculpture
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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
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
$1,218Sale Price|20% Off
Midcentury Glass Vase from Carl Auböck, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, Austria
A hand blown glass vase from Carl Auböck, made in the 1950s, From Vienna, Austria.
Glass
Carl Auböck Letter Opener in dark Leather and Brass, Austria 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Vintage letter opener by Carl Auböck with a long, tapered metal blade and a brown leather-wrapped handle finished with a brass end cap. Shows light surface scratches, wear, and warm ...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Wooden Bowl by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Wooden Bowl, Austria 1960s.
Wood
Pair of Mid-Century Horn and Brass Bookends, Vintage Originals
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A rare and highly collectible pair of original 1960s sculptural bookends, exemplifying the sophisticated Mid-Century Modern aesthetic of the Vienna school. This set features two hand...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #4057 'Athlete' Brass Sculpture
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck model #4057 'Athlete' brass sculpture. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural figure is executed in polished and patinated brass. Price is per ...
Brass
Mid-Century Wooden Bottle Stopper/Cork by Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
The item on sale is an original Carl Auböck bottle stopper. It was hand crafted and is made from the finest wood and cork. It has a robust leathe...
Leather, Wood
Wooden double bowl with handle by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Wooden double bowl with handle by Werkstätte Carl Auböck. Sculptural twin-dish serving tray with two integrated bowls set into an elongated base, topped with a raised metal handle wr...
Brass
Carl Auböck #5275 Paperweight "Zumbusch Hand", Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #5275-2 Paperweight "Zumbusch Hand", Austria 2022. Also available in 8cm height for 315,00 € (#5275-1).
Brass
$420 / item
Carl Auböck Model #9040 Knob in Nickel
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #9040 Knob in Nickel Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese knob is executed in softly brushed nickel by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria. It...
Nickel
Carl Auböck #4068 Sculpture "Leaning on Treestump", Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #4068 sculpture "Leaning on Treestump", Austria.
Brass
$470 / item
Carl Auböck Model #3599 Patinated Brass Bowl
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck model #3599 brass bowl. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl is executed in polished and darkly patinated brass. Originally conce...
Brass
Carl Aubock Patinated Brass "Leaning on Tree Stump Figural Sculpture #4068
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock Patinated Brass "Leaning on Tree Stump Figural Sculpture #4068 designed in the 1950's. Produced by Carl Auböck IV in the original Auböck workshop in Vienna, Austria using...
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
$1,090 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4276 'Single Flower' Brass Vase
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck model #4276 'Single Flower' brass vase. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese vase is executed in darkly p...
Brass
$2,296Sale 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 Model 4279 Brass Cup, Patinated Finish
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model 4279 Brass Cup, Patinated Finish Designed in the 1950s, this refined sculptural Viennese cup is executed in patinated brass with a polishe...
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck #3530-2 Bookends in Polished Brass and Coiled with Cane
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Carl Auböck #3530-2 Bookends in Polished Brass and Coiled with Cane, Austria 2022.
Brass
$420 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4610 Patinated Brass Bowl
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4610 Patinated Brass Bowl Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl is executed in polished and darkly patinated brass. Original...
Brass
$460 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4965 Patinated Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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
Carl Auböck III, 1960s, Alphabetical 'L' Shaped Walnut Clothes Brush
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in London, GB
L-shaped coat brush designed and made by Carl Auböck III, Vienna, circa 1960. The model 5000 alphabetical clothes brushes were designed in 1961 and a ...
Walnut
$420 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4327 Nickel-Plated Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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
Carl Auböck Brass and Leather Letter Opener, Mid-Century Modern
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Paperknife with brown leather handle by Carl Auböck.
Brass
$510 / item
Carl Auböck Model #5439 Hook in Nickel
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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
$640 / item
Carl Auböck Model #3514 Brass Bowl
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck model #3514 brass bowl. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl is executed in polished brass. Originally conceived as an ashtray an...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #3795 'Aorta Crescent' Brass Vase
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #3795 'Aorta Crescent' Brass Vase Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese vase is executed in polished and darkly patinated brass by...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #7247-4 Patinated Brass Vase
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #7247-4 Patinated Brass Vase Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese vase is executed in polished and darkly patinated brass by Werk...
Brass
Moustache grooming Set in original Wooden Box by Werkstätte Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Vintage moustache grooming set in original wooden box labeled “Brosse à Moustache.” Includes a small horn comb and matching brush with natural bristles and horn handle. Light wear co...
Wood, Horn
Carl Auböck #3632 Watering Can in Patinated Brass and Cane
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck #3632 watering can in patinated brass and cane. Designed in the 1940s, this incredibly clean and refined Viennese watering can is executed in handwoven cane, polished a...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Wooden Bowl by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Wooden Bowl, Austria 1960s
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4102 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #4102 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Each pi...
Brass
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 Model #4366 'Bird' Brass Sculpture
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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...
Brass
$470 / item
Carl Auböck Model #5439 Patinated Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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
Carl Auböck Model #3600 'Crown' Bowl in Patinated Brass
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #3600 'Crown' Bowl in Patinated Brass Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl is executed in patinated brass. Originally concei...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #4630 Large Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #4630 large brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of minimalist bookends are executed in polished brass. The A...
Brass
$630 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4308 Patinated Brass Bowl
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Aubo¨ck Model #4308 patinated brass bowl. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl is executed in polished and darkly patinated brass. Origi...
Brass
$420 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4086 Patinated Brass Hook
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3651 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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
$440 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4982 Hook in Nickel
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, 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