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.
Brass bowl in form of a maple leaf by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Bowl, Austria 1960s.
Brass
$630 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4308 Patinated Brass Bowl
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, 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
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #1928 'Hands' Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, 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
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
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
Standing Sculpture by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Patinated Brass, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #4069 Sculpture "Standing", Austria.
Brass
$930 / item
Carl Auböck Model #3854 'Atom 1' Brass Vase
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #3854 'Atom 1' Brass Vase Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese vase is executed in darkly patinated brass by Werkstätte Carl Aubö...
Brass
$760 / item
Carl Auböck Model #3794/1 'Aorta' Brass Vase
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #3794/1 '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
Brass Paperknife #7209 by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Mid-Century Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Brass paperknife #7209 by Carl Auböck.
Brass
Figurative Sculpture 'Walking' by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Brass
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #4058 sculpture "Walking", Austria.
Brass
Brass Paperweight by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Cast & Polished, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Paperweight #4867 "Egg", Austria. Price is per piece.
Brass
$470 / item
Carl Auböck Model #3600 'Crown' Brass Bowl
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #3600 'Crown' brass bowl. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl is executed in polished brass. Originally conceived as an as...
Brass
Leaf-shaped Brass Bowl With Dark Patina By Werkstätte Carl Auböck ca' 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A great organic/modern leaf shape bowlin patinated brass by Carl Aubock Werkstatte, Austria 1960's.
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
Carl Aubock II Vase Decanter with Black Leather Top, Midcentury, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful minimalist MId Century Modern vase or decanter „Tuberkulinkolben", designed and executed by Carl Aubock II in the 1950s. Made of handblown clear glass with a nice hand-se...
Leather, Glass
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
H-Shaped Wooden Hand Brush by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
H-shaped hand brush made from a single piece of light-toned wood with rounded edges and two finger cut-outs for grip. Dense black bristles are set into the front (and likely the reve...
Wood
Carl Auböck Paperweight in Leather and Stone, Austria, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck paperweight in leather and stone, Austria, 1960s.
Stone
Carl Auböck Paperweight Set as Used by Walter Gropius
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
A Classic set of four beautiful pressed papiers designed by Carl Auböck and produced by the Carl Auböck Werkstätte. The set consists of a stone in leather, an egg, foot and hand. Sam...
Stone, Brass
Carl Auböck Mid-Century Leather & Brass Letter Opener, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Letter opener with a long, tapered metal blade and a leather-wrapped handle finished with a brass end cap. Shows light surface scratches, wear, and warm patina.
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Brass Candlestick by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck candlestick, Austria 1960s.
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
Brass Paperknife with Bookmark by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Brass paperknife with bookmark by Carl Auböck.
Brass
Carl Auböck #4317 Fountain Pen Rest, Patinated Brass, Austria, 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #4317 Fountainpen Rest, Austria, 2022.
Brass
Carl Auböck Handcrafted Midcentury Foot Brass Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist foot 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
Carl Auböck #3786 "Alert" Vase or Bookend, Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #3786 "Alert" Vase or Bookend, Austria 2022.
Brass
Carl Auböck #7240 Vase "Single Noose", Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #7240 Vase "Single Noose", Austria 2022.
Brass, Wire
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
$552Sale Price / item|20% Off
Carl Aubock Polished Brass Letter Opener #4233
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock polished brass letter opener #4233. Produced by Carl Auböck IV in the original Auböck workshop in Vienna, Austria using the same standards, high-quality materials, origin...
Brass
Brass Athlete Sculpture by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Patinated Finish
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #4057 sculpture "Athlete", Austria
Brass
Carl Auböck #4061 Brass Sculpture 'Architect', Patinated, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #4061 Sculpture "Architect", Austria.
Brass
Hourglass Vase by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Patinated Brass, 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #7231 "Hourglass" Vase, Austria 2022.
Brass
Carl Auböck #3980-1 Candleholder, Patinated Brass, Modern Design
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #3980-1 candleholder, Austria 2022
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 #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 #3650 Large Fountainpen Rest "Feather", Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Auböck solid patinated brass tray in a feather shape. .
Brass
Aorta Vase #3794 by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Patinated Brass
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Aorta vase #3794 by Carl Auböck in patinated brass.
Brass
Carl Auböck Set of #7252 Large Fruit Basket and #7226 Small Fruit Basket
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
#7252 Big fruit basket and #7226 small fruit basket by Carl Auböck in patinated brass. New. The measurements given apply to the large basket. The small one measures: 27cm depth - 20c...
Brass
Turned Walnut Bowl/ Carl Auböck III, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in London, GB
Description: A turned walnut bowl designed by Carl Auböck III during the 1960s. Walnut is a recurring material seen throughout the designs of the prestigious Austrian workshop. Fro...
Wood, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Brass & Horn Candlestick Holders by Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Really special candlestick with horn screen and patinated brass structure as the base. A unique piece!
Brass
Carl Aubock "My Son" Patinated Brass Sculpture #4752
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock "My Son" Patinated Brass Sculpture #4752 designed in the 1950s. Currently produced by Carl Auböck IV in the original Auböck workshop in Vienna, Austria using the same sta...
Brass
Carl Aubock Patinated Brass Architect Sculpture #4061
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock patinated brass "Architect" sculpture #4061. Produced by Carl Auböck IV in the original Auböck workshop in Vienna, Austria using the same standards, high-quality material...
Brass
Carl Aubock Wooden Modernist Fruit Bowl Wood Plate , Austria, 1970s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful wooden bowl or plate, designed by Carl Aubock in the 1970s. Marked, in excellent condition.
Wood
$548Sale Price / item|20% Off
Carl Auböck Model #4366 'Bird' Brass Sculpture
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Auböck Model #4366 'Bird' brass sculpture. A wonderful abstract patinated brass bird sculpture designed in the 1950's by Vienna, Austria's, Carl Aubock. This item is produced in the original Carl Aubock Werkstatte currently operated by Carl Aubock IV. All items are produced with the highest quality materials, using traditional tooling and techniques. Over many years, Carl Aubock Wekstatte has amassed a large catalog of items, many of which are for daily use in the household or office. Aubock items make for the perfect high quality, collectable gift for the home...
Brass
Brush by Carl Aubock
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegant brush hand carved from cow horn with naturally occurring variations in color and pattern.
Horn
rare carl auböck box
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Munich, DE
rare piece from the carl auböck workshop.
Metal
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
Sculptural Hand Tabletop Accessory by Carl Aubock
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegant heavy solid brass 'hand' paperweight.
Brass
very rare double box by carl auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Munich, DE
another very rare piece from the auböck workshop.
Metal
Rare No.A-436 bowl by Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Munich, DE
flawless carl auböck wood bowl.
Brass
carl auböck leather and chrome box.
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Munich, DE
rare box by carl auböck. signed inside with persil.
Metal, Chrome
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #5535 'Rainbow' Patinated Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #5535 'Rainbow' Patinated Brass Bookends Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polis...
Brass
Carl Aubock, Letter Opener, Leather and Brass, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Stockholm, SE
Letter opener by Carl Auböck. Made in brass with leather handle, Austria, 1950s.
Brass
very rare penholder from horn and horn pen by carl auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Munich, DE
rare pieces from the carl auböck workshop.
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
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
$1,495 / item
Carl Auböck Model #7252-1 Polished Brass Fruit Bowl
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #7252-1 polished brass fruit bowl. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl is executed in poli...
Brass
$470 / item
Carl Auböck Model #3599 Patinated Brass Bowl
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, 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
$535 / item
Carl Auböck Model #8040-1 Knob in Nickel
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #8040-1 Knob in Nickel. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese knob is executed in brushed nickel by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria. Its mi...
Nickel
$625 / item
Carl Auböck Model #8040-2 Knob in Nickel
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #8040-2 knob in nickel. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese knob is executed in brushed nickel by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria. Its mi...
Nickel