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.
1930s Carl Aubock I Roll Top Storage Box, Cigarette Dispenser, Walnut, Vienna
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A storage box with a roll-down lid from the 1930s. This is an early design by Carl Auböck I, handcrafted by the Werkstätte Auböck workshop in Vienna, Austria. Handmade from walnut wo...
Brass, Nickel
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
$192Sale Price / item|20% Off
Carl Aubock Brass Cigar Snuffer #4117
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock brass cigar snuffer #4117. Produced by Carl Auböck IV in the original Auböck workshop in Vienna, Austria using the same standards, high-quality materials, molds and techn...
Brass
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
$1,223Sale 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
Auböck Cigarette Box, Ash Wood and Nickel Plated Brass, 1930s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Aubock cigarette box, made of ash wood and nickel plated brass, openable from both sides. Adorable early Art Deco box, by the famous Bauhaus Architekt...
Brass, Nickel
very rare double box by carl auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Munich, DE
another very rare piece from the auböck workshop.
Metal
Box made of Wood, Brass and Cork by Werkstätte Carl Auböck Austria, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Small box by Werkstätten Carl Auböck with curved wooden lid and brass body, lined with cork inside. The design combines a warm wood surface with brushed brass sides, creating the ch...
Brass
Carl Auböck Chrome Box with Leather Lid, 1930s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A refined early piece from the Carl Auböck workshop, dating to the 1930s. This chrome-plated box features clean, modernist lines contrasted by a hand-stitched leather lid — a hallmar...
Chrome
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
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
20th Century Carl Auböck Nutwood Humidor
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Carl Auböck Humidor, Austria 1950s
Nutwood
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...
Horn, Wood
Rare Mid-Century Modern Teak Cork & Brass Box by Carl Auböck Austria 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Munich, DE
Extremely rare and elegant Mid-Century Modern cigar or cigarette box by Carl Auböck, Vienna, Austria, 1950s. Executed in teak wood, cork and polished brass. Dimensions: W 5.12 in....
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 leather and chrome box.
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Munich, DE
rare box by carl auböck. signed inside with persil.
Metal, Chrome
Cigarette Box by Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
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
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
Antique Asian Wood Opium Container with Lid and Brass Pull
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Decorative Antique Asian round wood box container with lid and brass pull. Vintage collectible Asian wooden tobacco or opium round container. Round shaped lidded opium container...
Wood
Art Deco Cash Box, France 1930s
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
French steel box from the 1930s. Green lacquered case with golden craquelé pattern. The cash register has a classic handle and a key to lock. Painted green in the interior and a shee...
Metal, Steel, Iron
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 18.75 in W 25 in D 19 in
Vintage John Players Navy Cut Cigarette Advertising Shipping Crate or Box
By Imperial Amphora
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Made in the mid-1860s, this wooden and silk screened shipping crate was made for the iconic Player's Navy Cut cigarettes. The crate appears to have been shipp...
Wood
$275
H 1.5 in W 3.75 in D 3.13 in
Japanese Art Deco Metal and Enamel Trinket Box, Wood-Lined Interior, c. 1930s
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is a charming and highly decorative Japanese trinket box dating to the 1930s, expressing the bold geometric styling and modernist spirit of t...
Metal, Enamel
Silvered Art Deco Jewelry Box, Vienna, Around 1920s
Located in Wien, AT
Silvered Art deco Jewelry Box, Vienna, around 1920s. Polished and stove enameled.
Brass
$140 / item
H 3 in W 0.75 in D 0.75 in
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
$145 / item
H 2.25 in W 1.5 in D 0.75 in
Carl Auböck Handcrafted Midcentury Brass Shell Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist shell keyring / key holder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Length including...
Brass
$937
H 7.88 in W 4.73 in D 3.55 in
Art Deco 1930s Ceramic Bonbonniere, Half Doll, Powder Box, circa 1930
Located in Devon, England
Beautifully styled is this 1930s Art Deco French Bonbonniere. Part of the half doll, powder box, jar family. Typical Art Deco coloring which is as b...
Ceramic
WMF Art Deco Jewelry Box, Vienna, Around 1920s
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Wien, AT
WMF Art Deco jewelry box Vienna around 1920s. Polished and stove enameled.
Brass
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.55 in W 3.15 in D 0.63 in
Art Deco Leather and Sterling Silver Cigarette / Cigar Case
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Exquisite leather cigar case with sterling silver collar. Expands for differing lengths of small cigar or cigarettes. Made in the U.K. in the 1900-1920´s. It has the stamp of the re...
Sterling Silver
Art Deco Box in Wood circa 1930
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A box in from the 1930's in Art Deco style made from wood and etched glass. The glass is possible to lift off to clean. The use is uncertain but we believe it is possibly made to hol...
Glass, Walnut
Art Deco Jewelry Box Vienna Around 1920s
Located in Wien, AT
Art Deco Jewelry Box vienna around 1920s. Polished and stove enameled. Cut glass.
Brass
Sold
H 1.75 in W 4 in D 4.25 in
1930s Carl Aubock I Storage Box / Cigarette Dispenser with Roll Top, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A rare storage box or cigarette dispenser with a roll down lid from the 1930s, this is an early design by Carl Aubock I. Handmade of wood and nickel-plated brass. In good condition.
Brass, Nickel
rare and famous Carl Auböck Fish penny box
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Munich, DE
Another piece of my personal collection. the famous fish money box....
Metal, Brass
Carl Auböck Jewelry Box made of Wood Brass and Cork
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
This elegant brass box, designed by Carl Auböck, embodies mid-century sophistication and craftsmanship. The box is constructed from gleaming, polished brass with beautifully rounded ...
Brass
Sold
H 1.75 in W 4 in D 4.25 in
1930s Carl Aubock I Storage Box / Cigarette Dispenser with Roll Top, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A rare storage box or cigarette dispenser with a roll down lid from the 1930s, this is an early design by Carl Aubock I. Handmade of walnut wood and...
Brass, Nickel
Sold
H 1.97 in W 6.89 in D 4.73 in
Superb Mid-Century Caucasian Nutwood and Brass Cigarette Box by Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
This lovely brass and wooden cigarette box, designed by Carl Auböck, shows a beautiful guilloche top surface. The brass shows fine patina, enriche...
Brass
Rare Leather and Chrome Art Deco Auböck Cigar Box, 1930s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Cigar Box by Auböck (1930s) made of nickel plated brass and a lid in leather. It can be opened from both sides. Heavy and adorable. A similar piece was sold at the Auction house "Wr...
Brass, Nickel
Art Deco Box Carl Auböck, 1930s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco Box made of wood, inside copper. By Carl Auböck, 1930s. Listed in catalog "Die Kataloge der Werkstätte Carl Auböck 1925-1975" [The catalogs of the Carl Auböck workshop 19...
Copper
Auböck Tobacco Jar, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Aubock tobacco box, 1950s Made of aluminum, with a leather wrapp sleeve and a bakelite lid. Listed in the catalog "Arbeiten der Werkstätte Carl Aubö...
Aluminum
Cubistic Brass/White Metal Jewelry Box by Carl Auböck, 1940s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
The jewelry box can be clearly attributed to the Auböck workshop designs of the 1940s since white metal (tin or zinc) has only been used within this period. The anodized top of th...
Metal, Zinc
Sold
H 11.42 in Dm 9.85 in
Carl Auböck Wastepaper Basket of Genuine Dark Brown Leather by Illums, 1970s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Illums Bolighus
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Round European vintage wastepaper basket from the 1970´s by Carl Auböck made for Illums Bolighus in Copenhagen. It's made of strong genuine dark brown cognac colored core leather wit...
Brass
Carl Auböck Horn Box
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A rare example in beautiful original condition.
Horn
Brass and Glass Canister
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in London, GB
A vintage canister by Carl Auböck Vienna, Austria, circa 1950. Base and lid are made of glass and both have bevelled edges; the canister itself is m...
Brass