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.
Carl Auböck Wine Bottle Server Wicker Handle Nickel Silver 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Basel, BS
Carl Auböck bottle holder in a rarely seen nickel silver version, made in Vienna in the 1950s. Nickel silver with a hand-woven wicker handle. Cleaned and polished. Width: 22 cm De...
Metal
Set of 4 Carl Aubock 1950s Brass Egg Cups Holders for Illums Bolighus, Denmark
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Illums Bolighus
Located in Malmö, SE
Set of 4 beautiful midcentury Brass Egg Cups with amazing original patina. Designed by Carl Auböck, Austria in the 1950s. Sold at 'Illums Bolighus' in Copenhagen, Denmark. Great o...
Brass
Complete Aubock Egg Holder Set, Designed in the Early 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A set of 6 egg cups, a very characteristic item by the Auböck workshop, Vienna. The six massive brass rings bear a beautiful patina but can be polished. Measure: height of one egg...
Brass
Werkstätte Carl Auböck II Fondue Pot and Burner Set in Copper and Brass 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Troy, MI
Fondue set by Carl Aubock II Austria circa 1950s Complete set with lidded copper pot inset to brass tripod stand and brass warmer Signed in 3 places 10 inch overall width 5.5 inch ...
Brass, Copper
Coffee pot by Carl Auböck 1950s for Werkstätte Carl Auböck. ( signed )
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Wien, AT
Coffee pot by Carl Auböck 1950s for Werkstätte Carl Auböck. ( signed ) Original condition
Brass, Copper
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
$1,760Sale Price / set|20% Off
Carl Aubock Tableware Service Tray and Skillet for Two with Amboss 2060
By Amboss Austria, Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chicago, IL
Carl Aubock Tableware Service Tray and Skillet for Two with Amboss 2060 Flatware. Each set has a stainless steel skillet, wooden handle, wood block tray, A...
Stainless Steel
Nutcracker with Cane-Wrapped Handles by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
This hand nutcracker by Werkstätten Carl Auböck combines solid cast metal with tightly wrapped cane handles, transforming a simple kitchen tool into a sculptural object. The oval c...
Brass
Carl Auböck Bottle Opener, Austria, 1950s — Woven Bast Handle, Stainless Steel
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A classic mid-century bottle opener from the Carl Auböck workshop, crafted in the 1950s. The handle is tightly wrapped in natural bast, giving the piece its unmistakable tactile warm...
Stainless Steel
Carl Auböck Midcentury Brass Nutcracker, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful modernist nutcracker from the 1950s, made of solid brass, designed and manufactured by Carl Auböck in Vienna/Austria.
Brass
1950s Carl Auböck Charcuterie Picnic Board & Knife Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Carl Auböck Picnic Charcuterie Board and Knife Set from Austria stamped by maker Single walnut wood board and knife- three sets are available- Wood .75 thick x 7.75 w x 6.38 d, knife...
Stainless Steel
Carl Aubock Big Cutting Board with Amboss Knife, Wicker Handle, Walnut, Leather
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful oval chopping board or serving tray with a knife, designed and handcrafted in the 1950s by Werkstätte Carl Auböck. The cutting board is made of beautifully grained walnut...
Metal, Stainless Steel
Vintage Carl Auböck Nutcracker Teak and Brass, Vienna Austria Modern Design 1950
By Poul Knudsen, Werkstätte Carl Auböck
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 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
$648Sale Price|32% Off
Carl Auböck Midcentury Brass Nut Cracker, Austria, 1950s Signatured
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Wien, AT
Carl Auböck midcentury brass nut cracker, Austria, 1950s signatured. Original condition.
Brass
Auböck Brass Coin Bottle Opener, Midcentury, 1950s, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Beautiful Auböck coin bottle opener in solid brass, made by Werkstätten Carl Auböck in 1950s. The casting is very fine because this is an earlier opener. T...
Brass
Auböck White Wine Bottle Holder, Midcentury, Brass and Leather, 1950s, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Minimalistic Auböck white or rosé wine bottle holder in solid brass with leather handle, made by Werkstätten Carl Auböck in 1950s. This pourer was designe...
Brass
Auböck Brass Key Paperweight & Cork Screw, Corkscrew, Midcentury, 1950s, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Beautiful Carl Auböck "Key" bottle opener, corkscrew & paperweight in solid brass, made by Werkstätten Carl Auböck in 1950s. The key is in a very good condition. We ship via DHL...
Brass
Complete Aubock Egg Holder Set, Designed in the Early 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A set of 2 egg cups, on a bechwood holder, a very characteristic design by the Auböck workshop, Vienna, Austria. Original production from the 1950‘s. Excellent condition. The 2 massive brass rings with beautiful patina but can be polished. Measure: Height of one egg...
Brass
Stainless Hardwood Fondue Forks by Carl Auböck for Amboss Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Amboss Austria
Located in Vienna, AT
Two sets each four pieces. Stainless hardwood fondue forks by Amboss Austria designed by Carl Auböck in 1959. Very good original condition.
Stainless Steel
Austrian Midcentury Horn Salad Servers by Carl Auböck Vienna
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Pair of Austrian modernist horn salad servers designed and manufactured by Carl Aubo¨ck Vienna.
Horn
Mid-Century Modern Wooden Salad Tong by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Wooden Wooden Tong for Salads or other dishes, Austria 1960s.
Wood, Leather
Pair of Auböck Brass Coin Bottle Stopper, Midcentury, 1950s, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Pair of beautiful large Auböck coin bottle stoppers in solid brass, made by Werkstätten Carl Auböck in 1950s. The casting is very fine because these are th...
Brass
Fondue Set by Werkstätte Carl Auböck II
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in London, GB
Vintage fondue pot and burner by Carl Auböck II, Vienna, circa 1950. The pot and its lid are made out of spun tinned copper, while the burner is spun brass. The pot, its lid and the burner, all have brass handles with ebony grips. The sculptural tripod stand composed of three vertical bars joined in a triangular shape is made of solid brass and stamped 'MADE IN AUSTRIA Auböck...
Brass, Copper, Tin
Carl Auböck Horn Cake Server
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Highland, IN
In classic Auböck style, this cake or pie server uses rich materials in an innovative manner. In this case, horn, aluminum, and cane are married to make a most elegant small server. ...
Aluminum
Pincer in Brass and Braided Leather by Carl Auböck, 1950's
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Pincer in Brass and Braided Leather by Carl Auböck, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Brass and braided leather Style: Mid century, Europe Produced by Carl Auböck workshop in...
Brass
$495
H 0.32 in W 5.52 in D 4.73 in
Austrian Midcentury Stainless Steel and Horn Fish Cork Screw by Carl Aubock
By Amboss Austria, Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
This Austrian Midcentury Modern Amazing Stainless steel fish shaped cork screw and bottle opener was designed and manufactured by Carl Auböck Vienna, rare version with horn signed Au...
Stainless Steel
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
$472
H 8.67 in W 7.88 in D 3.94 in
Auböck White Wine Bottle Holder, Midcentury, Brass and Leather, 1950s, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Minimalistic Auböck white or rosé wine bottle holder in solid brass with leather handle, made by Werkstätten Carl Auböck in 1950s. This pourer was designe...
Brass
$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 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 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
1950s European Bronze Crocodile Nutcracker Walter Bosse Style Auböck
By Walter Bosse
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1950s European Bronze Crocodile Nutcracker attributed Walter Bosse in the style of Carl Auböck 7x 1.5 w x 1.5 d Original vintage unrestored condition Refer to images.
Brass, Bronze
$943
H 4.73 in W 5.91 in D 0.79 in
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
$554
H 4.73 in W 2.76 in D 0.4 in
Carl Auböck Key Bottle Opener Brass Cork Screw Austria Workshop Aubock 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Basel, BS
Large Carl Auböck key shaped bottle opener in brass, made by the Auböck workshop in Vienna in the 1950s. Hidden corkscrew and cap lifter. Excellent craftsmanship with a beautiful ...
Brass
$290 / item
H 2 in W 2.25 in D 1.25 in
Carl Auböck Up to Three Midcentury Polished Brass Card Holder, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
*Actually up to three pieces available* A beautiful card stand, made of polished brass, designed and executed in the 1950s by Carl Auböck, Austria. To be used for business cards, fol...
Brass
$1,760Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 2.5 in W 8 in D 6.5 in
Carl Aubock Tableware Service Tray and Skillet for Two with Amboss 2060
By Amboss Austria, Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Chicago, IL
Carl Aubock Tableware Service Tray and Skillet for Two with Amboss 2060 Flatware. Each set has a stainless steel skillet, wooden handle, wood block tray, A...
Stainless Steel
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
2x Carl Auböck Pan & Serving Tray & Amboss 2060 Flatware, Original Box, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Amboss Austria
Located in Vienna, AT
Two beautiful minimalistic Mid-Century four-pieces dining sets with an original box. Each set consists of a small stainless steel pan with a nice wooden handle, a wooden serving plate / tray and a set of the famous Amboss 2060...
Stainless Steel
Carl Aubock Cutting Board & Knife and Fork Set. 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Carl Aubock Cutting Board & Knife and Fork Set. Original detailing and finishes, walnut cutting board, stainless steel flatware, rattan wrapped handles, leather strap. Stamped sig...
Stainless Steel
Original Auböck Nutcracker Wood and Brass with Hammer
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
For sale is a unique piece of Art Deco design. The nutcracker consists of beautiful warm nutwood and nickel-plated brass. A small nickel-plated hammer with wicker covered handle is u...
Brass, Nickel
Carl Auböck Neptune Bottle Opener circa 1960
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Carl Auböck " Neptune " Bottle Opener circa 1960. Fish shaped stainless steel and leather.
Steel
Horn Salad Servers by Werkstätte Carl Auböck III
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in London, GB
A pair of salad servers designed and made by Carl Auböck III in the 1960s. The servers are made entirely of horn from Hungry. The colours and grain in the horn is spectacular, especi...
Horn
Sold
H 4.73 in W 2.76 in D 0.4 in
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
Original Aubock Cheeseplate with Glassdome from 1950
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Original Aubock cheeseplate with glass dome from 1950 The hand-blown glass dome with a handle made out of bast and wood plate. It is in the original Aubock catalogue with prod...
Straw, Blown Glass, Wood
2 sets of Carl Aubock Cutting Boards & Knife and Fork, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Carl Auböck cutting board & knife and fork set. 2 sets available Original detailing and finishes, walnut cutting board, stainless steel flatware, rat...
Stainless Steel
Complete Aubock Egg Holder Set, Designed in the Early 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A set of 6 egg cups, a very characteristic item by the Auböck workshop, Vienna. The six massive brass rings bear a beautiful patina but can be polished. Measure: Height of one ...
Brass
Sold
H 4.73 in W 2.76 in D 0.4 in
Auböck Big Brass Key Bottle Opener & Corkscrew, Midcentury, 1950s, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Beautiful Auböck bottle opener and corkscrew in solid brass, made by Werkstätten Carl Auböck in 1950s. The key is in a very good condition.
Brass
Sold
H 7.88 in W 7.88 in D 4.34 in
Auböck Red Wine Bottle Holder, Midcentury, Brass and Rattan, 1950s, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Minimalistic Auböck red wine bottle holder in solid brass with rattan handle, made by Werkstätten Carl Auböck in 1950s. This pourer was designed to hold t...
Brass
Carl Auböck Modernist Cheese Bell Walnut Board with Glass Dome, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful midcentury walnut cheese board with a glass dome and a raffia handle from the 1950s. Designed and executed by Carl Auböck. The total diameter is 8 inches, the glass dome ...
Raffia, Glass, Walnut