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.
AMBOSS Flatware by Carl Aubock Mid Century Modern Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Amboss Austria
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a flatware set by AMBOSS designed by Carl Aubock .Mid Century Modern Austria. Dimensions: Knive 8.38 , Spoon 7.75, Fork 7.75, Small spoon 5.88, Small f...
Stainless Steel
Carl Auböck Model #3431 'Knopferl' Brass Tray
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #3431 'Knopferl' Brass Tray Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese tray is executed in patinated and p...
Brass
Brass Coaster by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Polished Finish, 17cm
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #5509-1 coaster, Austria.
Brass
Original Auböck Egg Cup Made from Nutwood and Brass
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
For sale is a unique piece of Art Deco design. The egg cup consists of beautiful warm nutwood and nickel-plated brass. They were hand crafted in the renowned Austrian workshops of Ba...
Brass, Nickel
$330 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4828 Cane and Steel Knife
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4828 cane and steel knife. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural knife is executed in polished steel and handwoven cane. Price is per it...
Steel
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
Carl Aubock Fondue Set Forks Rostfrei Stainless Amboss Austria Mid Century
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Amboss Austria
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration a set of four Fondue forks designed by Stainless- Carl Aubock for Amboss . Made in Austria . Stamped: Rostfrei Stainless, AMBOSS AUSTRIA. Dimensions: 9.63 lon...
Stainless Steel
Fondue Skewers Carl Auböck Amboss in Austria Mid Century Modern
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Amboss Austria
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a vintage set 1950s fondue skewers designed by Carl Auböck and manufactured by Amboss in Austria. Mid-century modern style featuring two prongs and dark woo...
Stainless Steel
Fondue Forks Set in Original Box by Werkstätte Carl Auböck Mid Century
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of four fondue forks by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, stainless steel with riveted wooden handles, preserved in the original cardboard box. The long, slende...
Steel
Carl Auböck Knife Cutting Chopping Board, Wood Wicker Stainless Steel, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A chopping board designed by Carl Auböck, manufactured by Carl Auböck workshop in midcentury, Vienna, circa 1950. The board is made of walnut. The knife is made of wicker and stainle...
Stainless Steel
Mid-Century Modern Cutting Board by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Cutting Board, Austria 1960s
Leather, Wood
Carved Wooden Cutting Board with Leather Strap by Werkstätte Carl Auböck 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Hand-carved wooden cutting board by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Vienna, with organic triangular form, rounded handle, and hand-stitched leather strap. The board is shaped from solid wood...
Leather, Wood
Carl Auböck Walnut Board and Cheese Knife
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Walnut Board and Cheese Knife Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural set includes one model #4363 serving or cutting b...
Steel
Set of Two Serving Trays with Stainless Steel Pans and Cutlery by Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
These two dining sets were designed and executed by the Austrian Werkstätte Carl Auböck. They date back to the 1950s and were crafted using the fin...
Stainless Steel
Salad servers made of Horn by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
This pair of salad servers is carved from natural horn, shaped into long, tapering scoops that feel almost calligraphic in profile. The surfaces shift from deep chocolate to translu...
Horn
Pair of handcrafted horn Salad Servers by Werkstätte Carl Auböck Austria, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of handcrafted horn salad servers by Werkstätte Carl Auböck with long flat handles and rounded spoon heads—one with a notched edge. Smooth polished surface with natural cream an...
Horn
Brass Coaster by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Polished Finish, 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #5506-1 Coaster, Austria.
Brass
Carl Auböck Horn Salad Servers, Mid-Century Modern, Austria, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
This pair of salad servers is carved from natural horn, shaped into broad, shallow scoops with softly thickened handles that sit comfortably in the hand. The material’s milky transl...
Horn
Patinated Brass Fruit Sieve by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #7226-2 Fruit Sieve in patinated brass, Austria 2022.
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
Hand-carved horn Salad Servers with rounded Handles by Werkstätte Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of two hand-carved horn salad servers with rounded handles by Werkstätte Carl Auböck. One spoon and one fork with a curved notch detail. Smooth polished surface with light signs ...
Horn
Carl Auböck #7252-1 Fruit Sieve, Brass, Modern Design, Austria, 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #7252-1 Fruit Sieve, Austria 2022.
Brass
Carl Auböck #7252-3 Fruit Sieve in Patinated Brass, Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #7252-3 Fruit Sieve in patinated brass, Austria 2022.
Brass
Carl Auböck Walnut Board and Cheese Knife
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Walnut Board and Cheese Knife Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural set includes one model #4363 serving or cutting b...
Steel
$1,190
H 0.75 in W 6 in D 4 in
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 Ashtray "Marked by Auböck"
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Wien, AT
Carl Auböck ashtray "Marked by Auböck" Original condition.
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
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
Pitcher with Brass Handle by Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in London, GB
A glass pitcher with leather sleeve and brass handle by Carl Auböck II, Vienna, 1950s. The leather sleeve settles at the top third of the glass and is of a beautifully aged light ta...
Brass
Carl Auböck #7211 Letter Opener "Turned", Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #7211 letter opener "Turned", Austria 2022.
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
$145 / item
H 1.5 in W 1.5 in D 0.5 in
Carl Auböck Handcrafted Midcentury U-Shaped Brass Key Ring Chain Holder Knopferl
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist U-shaped keyring / keyholder / keychain "Knopferl", designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Ashtray by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria, 1948
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Carl Auböck II Model 3597 Ashtray, Austria, circa 1948 patinated brass stamped on the bottom great orignal patina - untouched very small flat area at lip of ledge also works very ...
Brass
Carl Aubock Patinated Brass Bookends #4636
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock patinated brass bookends #4636. Produced by Carl Auböck IV in the original Auböck workshop in Vienna, Austria using the same standards, high-quality materials, original m...
Brass
$1,030 / item
H 4.73 in W 0.04 in D 0.04 in
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
Walnut Picnic Boards by Carl Auböck II, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in London, GB
Picnic boards with horn knives and forks, designed by Carl Auböck II during the 1950s. This particular design by the prestigious Austrian workshop have had several iterations. Eac...
Metal
Carl Auböck Cutting Board, Austria 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Cutting Board, Austria 1960s
Leather, Wood
Carl Auböck Cutting Board, Austria 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Cutting Board, Austria 1960s
Wood
Large Walnut Oval Tray with Brass Handles Made by Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in London, GB
An oblong wooden tray with brass handles designed and made by Carl Auböck II, circa 1950. The large yet minimal tray carved from solid walnut has a rim ju...
Brass
Sold
H 1.38 in W 16.54 in D 5.91 in
Carl Auböck Knife Cutting Chopping Board, Wood Wicker Stainless Steel, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A chopping board designed by Carl Auböck, manufactured by Carl Auböck workshop in midcentury, Vienna, circa 1950. The board is made of walnut. The knife is made of wicker and stainl...
Stainless Steel
Carl Aubock Chopping Board with Knife, Walnut, Leather & Wicker, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful triangular cutting board and knife set, designed and crafted in the 1950s by Carl Auböck. The cutting board is made of walnut and features leather accents, showcasing Aub...
Steel
Carl Auböck Cutting Board and Knife Set
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in London, GB
A carved teak cutting board and stainless steel knife set designed by Carl Auböck II, Vienna, Austria, circa 1950. The top of the board has been routed to c...
Brass
Carl Auböck II Circular Rimmed Tray
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in London, GB
Circular wooden tray by Carl Auböck II, circa 1950. The minimal tray has a rim tall just 2 mm which adds elegance and functionality to the design. Thi...
Wood
Carl Auböck Set of Four Walnut Plates
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in London, GB
Vintage set of four wooden plates by the Auböck Werkstätte, Vienna, circa 1970. Minimal in shape, each plate is hand-carved out of walnut has a shallow lip and a circular cavity on ...
Walnut
Sold
H 0.89 in W 16.54 in D 8.86 in
Carl Auböck II Vintage 1950s Eliptical Chopping Board and Serving Tray
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in London, GB
A vintage cutting board designed and made by Carl Auböck II. The elliptical shaped board is made from solid walnut. The ends of each side are g...
Leather, Walnut
Sold
H 0.79 in W 11.03 in D 12.21 in
Carl Auböck II Walnut Cutting and Handled Serving Board with Knife
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in London, GB
A vintage cutting and serving board with knife designed and made by Carl Auböck II, Vienna, circa 1950. The board is sculptured from solid walnut and ...
Stainless Steel
Carl Auböck II Vintage Cutting Board and Knife
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in London, GB
A vintage cutting board set designed and made by Carl Aubo¨ck II. The walnut wood board is geometrically carved whilst the cane wrapped stainless...
Stainless Steel