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.
Key shaped Corkscrew by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Brass corkscrew shaped like a large key, with an oval loop handle and a cylindrical shaft ending in a bottle-opener cut-out. The worm twists out from the body; surface shows light we...
Brass, Steel
Big Auböck Bottle Opener 'Marked'
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Wien, AT
Big Auböck bottle opener ( marked ) Original condition.
Brass
Carl Aubock Cocktail Drink Glass Pitcher with Bamboo Stir & Cane Handle
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in San Diego, CA
Elegant clear tall glass pitcher with bamboo stirer and wrapped cane handle , circa 1970's great condition no chips or cracks.
Rattan, Glass
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
Vintage Brass Aubock Auboeck Bottle Opener Mid-Century Modern Breweriana Barware
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1960s mid century modern bottle opener. Made by Carl Auböck, Vienna, Austria. Nice addition to your room or just for use at your bar or bar cart. Found at an estate sal...
Brass
Bottle Opener Model 4224 by Carl Auböck, 1949
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Brussels, BE
Bottle Opener Model 4224 by Carl Auböck, 1949
Brass
Austrian Midcentury Steel and Leather Fish Bottle Opener by Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Bestecke Solingen
Located in Vienna, AT
This charming fish shaped stainless steel and cognac brown leather bottle opener has been designed by Carl Auböck, Modell Nr. 4687. Produved by Solingen Germany...
Stainless Steel
$420Sale Price|20% Off
Carl Auböck Neptune Fish Bottle Opener
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful Carl Aubock Neptune Fish Bottle Opener. Heavy Steel. Leather has gorgeous patina and shows well. Dimensions: 9.5L x 1.45 W
Steel
Carl Auböck Fish Shaped Bottle Opener, Vienna, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Wien, AT
Carl Auböck fish shaped bottle opener, Vienna, 1950s Bottle opener model no. 4687 Carl Auböck II.
Stainless Steel
Carl Auböck Model #4682 'Face' Polished Brass Bottle Stopper
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4682-1 'Face' Polished Brass Bottle Stopper. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly charming and refined brass 'Face' bottle stopper is hand-fabricated in polishe...
Brass
One of two anchor-shaped-Cork Screws by Werkstätte Carl Auböck Austria, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Anchor-shaped-Cork Screw Austria, 1960s
Brass, Steel
Carl Auböck Neptune Fish Bottle Opener, Leather & Steel by Amboss Austria, 1950s
By Amboss Austria, Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful fish-shaped mid-century bottle opener, made of stainless steel, covered with dark-brown tan leather. Model #4687, designed in 1995 by Carl Auböck, Vienna. Executed by Amb...
Stainless Steel
Carl Aubock Big Brass Key Cork Screw, Bottle Opener Paperweight, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful cork screw bottle opener & paperweight in the shape of a large golden key, designed and executed by Carl Aubock Vienna, Austria, 1950s. The big model. A Carl Aubock clas...
Brass
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
Pair of original Aubock Leather Wraped Hip Flasks
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Made in Vienna by Carl Aubock II. 2 Sculptural Vintage Bottles. The bigger bottle comes with two shot glasses into the Screw cap and the smaller one come with one shot glass. Both ma...
Brass
Carl Auböck #4280 Oval Cup, Patinated Brass, Modern Design, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #4280 oval cup, Austria, 2022.
Brass
Auböck Big Brass Key Paperweight & Cork Screw, Midcentury, 1950s, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Beautiful Carl Auböck "Big Key" bottle opener, corkscrew & paperweight in solid brass, made by Werkstätten Carl Auböck in 1950s. The key is in a very good con...
Brass
Round Brass Cup by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Patinated Finish, 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #4279 round cup, Austria 2022.
Brass
Extra Large Carl Auböck Brass Key Cork Screw, Bottle Opener, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful and very large mid-century corkscrew or bottle opener in the shape of a key, model no. 3687. This is the largest model available, measuring 6 inches in length. Designed a...
Brass
Carl Auböck Drinking Glass Carrying Rack, Wood, Austria 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A minimalist and elegant mid-century modern long tray or drinks carrier / drinking glass caddy featuring six clear long drink glasses from the 1960s. Designed and crafted by Carl Aub...
Brass
Original Midcentury Carl Auböck Brass Bottle Opener in the Shape of a Key
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
For sale is a beautiful bottle opener in key shape. It was crafted from brass and designed by the renowned workshops of Carl Auböck in Austria. The item represents the typical reduce...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #4224 'Hand' Brass Bottle Opener
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4224 'Hand' brass bottle opener. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural bottle opener is executed in polished brass. Price is per item. ...
Brass
Glass Pitcher with Leather Sleeve by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Glass pitcher with hand-stitched leather sleeve and handle by Werkstätte Carl Auböck. The clear cylindrical glass body is fitted with a thick natural leather wrap, stitched by hand a...
Leather, Glass
Austrian Midcentury Steel and Leather Fish Bottle Opener Neptun by Carl Auböck
By Bestecke Solingen, Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
This charming fish shaped stainless steel and brown leather bottle opener has been designed by Carl Auböck in the 1960s Modell Nr. 4687, Neptun. It comes with its original cardboard box. This one has been produced in Germany as a special company gift. On the leather you will find impressed Zinkweiss and the steel is marked Solingen Germany...
Stainless Steel
$592 / item
Key and Cork Screw by Carl Aubock
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Wonderful large grass old key, with hidden steel screw In original good condition with normal wear and tear.
Brass, Steel
Brass Ice Bucket with Cane Handle by Werkstätte Carl Auböck Austria, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
This ice bucket elevates barware to a small study in contrast: a reflective, tapering brass vessel paired with woven cane elements that temper the metal’s formality with warmth and ...
Brass
Mid-Century Bronze Nutcracker by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Mid-Century Carl Auböck Bronze Nutcracker - 1950s Vintage - Decoration - Home Decor Measures : ~ 13cm x 7,5cm H: ~3,5cm Carl Auböck was an Austria...
Bronze
Mid Century Modern Vintage Brass Key Corkscrew by Carl Auböck Austria circa 1950
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern vintage brass corkscrew from brass designed and executed by Carl Auböck, circa 1950. Marked A beautiful corkscrew by the de...
Metal, Brass
Rare Mid-Century Modern Cane-Wrapped Walnut Brass Cigarette Box Carl Auböck II
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A superb example of Mid-Century Austrian design, this iconic Cigarette Box (Model #3656) was designed by Carl Auböck II in the 1950s and handcrafted at the renowned Werkstätte Auböck...
Brass
Carl Auböck Nutcracker in Brass for Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Esbjerg, DK
This is not a midcentury torture devise or thumb-screw. But it is indeed a beautifully crafted midcentury nutcracker of the finest quality solid brass. This is the larger version des...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Carl Auböck Brass "Paragraph" Bottle Opener
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
An exceptional mid-century modern bottle opener designed by Carl Auböck II for the renowned Werkstätte Carl Auböck in Vienna, Austria, circa 1960. This elegant bar tool is crafted fr...
Brass
$533Sale Price|40% Off
Auböck Rooster Bottle Stopper, circa 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Wien, AT
Auböck rooster bottle stopper, circa 1950s This beautiful bottle stopper is in excellent original condition Marked on the bottom.
Brass
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
Carl Aubock Rare Barware Decanter
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chicago, IL
Carl Auböck Rare Barewear Decanter, cork top, mahogany wood with leather embossed clock face image. Werkstätte Carl Auböck Austria, c. 1950 glass, embossed leather with gilding, cork...
Glass, Mahogany, Cork
Carl Auböck Straw Holder & Corkscrew, Walnut & Brass, Mid-Century Austria, 1950
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful, minimalistic Mid-Century Modern wooden straw holder with an integrated corkscrew bottle opener, designed and executed by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Vienna, Austria, in the ...
Metal, Brass
Carl Auböck Martini Newspaper Midcentury Glass Pitcher, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful glass pitcher from the 1950s, designed and crafted by Carl Auböck in Austria. Typically these pitchers feature a leather belt but this particular piece is adorned with a ...
Brass
Very Large Mid-Century Modern Carl Auböck Walnut Cutting Board
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
This exceptional cutting and serving board is a quintessential example of the organic modernism championed by the Werkstätte Carl Auböck in Vienna during the 1950s. Handcrafted from ...
Walnut, Leather
Carl Auböck Neptune Fish Bottle Opener, Leather & Steel by Amboss Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful fish-shaped mid-century bottle opener, made of stainless steel, covered with dark-brown tan leather. Model #4687, designed in 1995 by Carl Auböck, Vienna. Executed by Amb...
Stainless Steel
Bottle Holder with Cane-Wrapped Handle by Werkstätte Carl Auböck Austria, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
This bottle holder by Werkstätten Carl Auböck is made from a single bent brass rod forming a continuous frame that supports the bottle at the base while the upper loop acts as handle...
Brass
Vintage Carl Auböck Nutcracker Teak and Brass, Vienna Austria Modern Design 1950
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Poul Knudsen
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Vintage nutcracker by Carl Auböck, Wiener Werkstätte, Austria. Made ca. 1950s. It´s made from teak and brass. It remains in very good condition with a beautiful patina.
Brass
Carl Auböck Fish Shaped Bottle Opener, Vienna, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Wien, AT
Carl Auböck fish shaped bottle opener, Vienna, 1950s Wood handle Bottle opener model no. 4687 Carl Auböck II.
Stainless Steel
Midcentury Auböck Bottle Stopper Historical Coin Motive
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
For sale is a beautiful bottle stopper with a historical coin motive. It was crafted from brass and cork and designed by the renowned workshops of Carl Auböck in Austria. It represen...
Brass
Carl Auböck fish bottle opener, teak, 1950's, mid century
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in BELFORT, FR
Mid-century modern Carl Auböck bottle opener, metal and teak wood.
Metal
Carl Auböck Letter „N" Initials Brass Bottle Opener #4919, Vienna, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
One (1) beautiful mid-century bottle opener featuring the initial "N", crafted from solid, polished brass. Model #4919, designed by Carl Auböck II, crafted in the 1960s in the Carl A...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #4230 'Skull' Polished Brass Corkscrew
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4230 'Skull' Polished Brass Corkscrew. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese corkscrew is execute...
Brass
Carl Aubock Brass Maria Theresia Coin Bottle Opener, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful brass coin bottle opener, designed and executed by Carl Aubock in the 1950s. In good condition with nice patina.
Brass
Carl Auböck fish shaped bottle opener, Vienna, 1950s model no. 4687
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Wien, AT
Carl Auböck fish shaped bottle opener, Vienna, 1950s Bottle opener model no. 4687 Carl Auböck II, Vienna, circa 1950.
Stainless Steel
1950s Original Carl Aubock Neptune Fish Can + Bottle Opener Vintage Signed
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Older original marked Aubock opener. This was made by the Carl Aubock Workshop Austria (not AS Solingen Germany!) Almost fully intact leather handle, some loss to front bottom edge, ...
Stainless Steel
Horn Pepper Mill with Brass Detail by Werkstätte Carl Auböck Austria, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
This pepper mill by Carl Auböck translates a familiar tabletop tool into a compact sculptural form. Carved from polished natural horn, the body reads like a small monolith—tapered an...
Steel
Horn Coaster Set with Leather Holder by Carl Auböck, Austria 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
This coaster set by Carl Auböck distills the Vienna Werkstätte legacy into something quietly domestic: small functional objects treated with the attention normally reserved for scul...
Horn, Leather
Large Carl Aubock Brass Key Corkscrew Bottle Opener Paperweight, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful sculptural Mid-Century cork screw bottle opener in the shape of a big key. This is a rare and not common model, designed by Carl Aubock, executed b...
Brass
Original Brass Carl Auböck Korkscrew
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
This beautiful and unique corkscrew is made from stainless steel and features a brass handle with an antique coin replica. Design by Austrian Bauhaus designer Carl Auböck and crafted...
Brass, Stainless Steel
Auböck Brass Coin Bottle Opener, Around 1950s, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Wien, AT
Auböck brass coin bottle opener, around 1950s, Austria Oroginal condition.
Brass
Signed Carl Auböck Nutcracker in Brass, Austria 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Wien, AT
Signed Carl Auböck Nutcracker in Brass, Austria 1950s Original patina Original condition
Brass
Key shaped Corkscrew by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Brass corkscrew shaped like a large key, with an oval loop handle and a cylindrical shaft ending in a bottle-opener cut-out. The worm twists out from the body; surface shows light we...
Brass, Steel
Carl Auböck Vienna Bottle Stopper, Horn, Leather, Cork, MidCentury Austria, 1950
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A stunning minimalist bottle stopper from the 1950s, designed and meticulously handcrafted by the renowned Werkstätte Carl Auböck in Vienna, Austria. This vintage Auböck piece is exp...
Brass
Bottle Opener in Key Design by Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Wien, AT
Bottle Opener in Key Design by Auböck Original condition
Metal, Brass
Carl Auböck II Barboy Bottle Opener & Corkscrew, Leather & Steel, Amboss Austria
By Amboss Austria, Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful bird-shaped bottle opener & corkscrew, made of stainless steel, covered with dark-brown leather. Designed by Carl Aubock II, Vienna. Executed in the 1960 by Amboss Austri...
Stainless Steel
Bottle Opener in Key Design by Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Wien, AT
Bottle Opener in Key Design by Auböck Original condition
Metal, Brass
Carl Auböck II Drinking Glass Carrying Rack, Leather & Brass, Austria 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A minimalistic and beautiful midcentury modern long tray drinks carrier / drinking glass caddy with 6 clear glasses from the 1950s. Designed and executed by Carl Aubock II in Vienna....
Brass
Bottle Holder by Auböck Around 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Wien, AT
Bottle holder by Auböck around 1950s Original condition The wine bottle is not included, it is only for the photo shooting.
Brass